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In a twinkling I was by his side, and there saw that which caused the cold chill 
of fear to run down my back.— Page 40. Frontis. On the Kentucky Frontier. 


ON THE 


KENTUCKY FRONTIER 

A STORY OF THE FIGHTING PIONEERS 
■ OF THE WEST. 

,/ 

By JAMES OTIS. 

* l» 



Vi^ith Six Page Illustrations by J. Watson Davis 
NEW YORK: 

A. L. BUKT, PUBLISHER. 


22350 




Libwy of Congress 

Two Copies Received 
JUL 20 1900 

Copyright entry 


Ha 


k^f^^QOO 

a./mt 

stcoND copir. 

£)k^{¥bF%d Ho 

OROLH 0(V4S«W, 

JUL^] 1900 


66200 

Copyright, 1900, by A. L. Burt. 


ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 
By James Otis. 


PREFACE. 


“ Poor Simon Kenton experienced the bitter 
effects of wrong, ingratitude, and neglect. On 
account of some legal matters concerning his 
lands in Kentucky, he was imprisoned for twelve 
months upon the very spot where he built his 
cabin in 1775. In 1802, beggared by lawsuits 
and losses, he became landless. Yet he never 
murmured at the ingratitude which pressed him 
down, and in 1813 the veteran joined the Ken- 
tucky troops under Shelby, and was in the battle 
of the Thames. In 1824, then seventy years 
old, he journeyed to Frankfort, in tattered 
garments and upon a miserable horse, to ask the 
legislature of Kentucky to release the claims of 
the State upon some of his mountain lands. He 
was stared at by the boys, and shunned by the 
citizens, for none knew him. At length General 


iv 


PREFACE. 


Thomas Fletcher recognized him, gave him a 
new suit of clothes, and entertained him kindly. 
When it was known that Simon Kenton was in 
town, scores flocked to see the old hero. He 
was taken to the Capitol and seated in the 
Speaker’s chair. His lands were released, and 
afterward Congress gave him a pension of two 
hundred and forty dollars a year. He died, 
at the age of eighty -one years, in 1836, at his 
residence at the head of Mad River, Logan 
County, Ohio, in sight of the place where, fifty- 
eight years before, the Indians were about to 
put him to death.” 

(Lossing’s “ Field-Book of the Revolution.”) 


CONTENTS. 


Chapter page 

I. Simon Kenton 1 

II. Besieged 24 

III. The Venture 45 

IV. Paul Sampson 68 

V. Down the Ohio 91 

VI. Astray 114 

VII. The Captive Scout 131 

VIII. At the Rendezvous 161 

IX. Kaskaskia 184 

X. Cahokia, 208 

XI. Homeward Bound 229 

XII. A Novel Battle. 251 






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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 

PAGE 

In a Twinkling I was by his Side and there saw that 
WHICH Caused the Cold Chill op Fear to Run 

Down my Back Frontispiece. 

The Brute Fell as though Struck by Lightning and 

A Cry of Triumph Rang from my Lips 63 

Within Five Seconds I had Fired, Using the Curl op 

Vapor for a Target. 103 

We Advanced from one Place of Shelter to Another, 

Firing Rapidly 142 

Straight up to the Big Gate we Advanced believing 
THAT in the Next Second we should Hear the 

Alarm Gun 204 

From out op our Barricade whistled three Bullets 
and every one Found its Mark 258 




ON THE KENTUCKY EEONIIEE. 


CHAPTER I. 

SIMON KENTON. 

It is my purpose to set down what I saw 
during such time as Simon Kenton gave me my 
first lessons in woodcraft, and it is well to make 
the statement in advance, in order that others 
may be deprived of the opportunity of saying 
what would sound disagreeable : — that the 
pupil was for a time so dull that one less patient 
and painstaking than Kenton would have 
brought the lessons to a speedy close. 

That which now seems the most difficult is to 

decide how I shall begin this story of the little 

which I did on the Kentucky frontier during 

the year of grace 1778, and I can hit upon no plan 

1 


2 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

which promises better success than that of copy- 
ing here what I read in a printed book long years 
after I, a green lad, set out to do my little share 
toward bringing peace and a sense of security 
to the settlers who were striving to make homes 
for themselves and their families in what was 
then known as the colony of Virginia. 

I make use of such a beginning because it 
appears to me as if the wise man who thus ex- 
plains the condition of affairs among us at that 
time, tells in a few lines what I might struggle 
vainly over many pages of paper to put into 
form one-half so concise and satisfactory : 

“ With the single exception of Dunmore’s ex- 
pedition in 1774, hostilities west of the Alle- 
ghanies were nothing but a series of border con- 
flicts, each little party acting upon its own 
responsibility, until 1778, when Major George 
Rogers Clarke led a regular expedition against 
the frontier posts of the enemy in the wilder- 
ness. Clarke first went toward Kentucky in 
1772, when he paddled down the Ohio with the 


SIMON KENTON. 


3 


Reverend David Jones, then on his way to 
preach the Gospel to the Western Indians. 

“ He was at once impressed with the impor- 
tance of that fertile region, and the necessity of 
making it a secure place for settlements. His 
mind was clear and comprehensive ; his personal 
courage of the truest stamp ; his energies, 
physical and mental, always vigorous, and he 
soon became an oracle among the backwoods- 
men. During the yeaS 1775 and 1776, he 
traversed vast regions of the wilderness south 
of the Ohio, studied the character of the Indians 
chiefly from the observations of others, and 
sought to discover a plan by which a tide of 
emigration might flow unchecked and secure 
into that paradise of the continent. 

“ He soon became convinced that the British 
garrisons at Detroit, Kaskaskia, and Vincennes, 
were the nests of those vultures who preyed 
upon the feeble settlements of the west, and 
deluged the virgin soil with the blood of the 
pioneers. Virginia, to which province this rich 


4 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

wilderness belonged, was at that time bending 
all her energies in advancing the cause of inde- 
pendence within her borders east of the Alle- 
ghanies, and the settlers west of the mountains 
were left to their own defense. 

‘‘ Major Clarke, convinced of the necessity of 
reducing the hostile forts in the Ohio country, 
submitted a plan for the purpose to the Virginia 
Legislature, in December, 1777, His scheme 
was highly approved, and Governor Henry and 
his council were so warmly interested that 
Major Clarke received two sets of instructions, 
one public, ordering him to ‘proceed to the 
defense of Kentucky,’ the other private, direct- 
ing an attack upon the British fort at Kaskaskia. 
Twelve hundred pounds were appropriated to 
defray the expenses of the expedition ; and the 
commandant of Fort Pitt was ordered to fur- 
nish Clarke with ammunition, boats, and other 
necessary equipments. 

“ His force consisted of only four companies, 
and they were all prime men. Early in the 


SIMON KENTON. 


5 


spring tliey rendezvoused upon Corn Island, at 
the falls of the Ohio, six hundred and seven 
miles by water, below Fort Pitt. Here Clarke 
^vas joined by Simon Kenton, one of the boldest 
pioneers of the west, then a young man of 
twenty-two years. He had been acting as a 
spy for two years previously ; henceforth he was 
engaged in a more honorable, but not more use- 
ful, service.” 

Now that this much has been explained by 
another, I am still at a loss to know how this 
poor story should be begun, and after much 
cudgeling of my weak brain have decided to 
jump into the matter after the same fashion that 
the events come into my memory after these 
many years of peace and idleness. 

On a certain morning in February, in the year 
1778, 1 went out to look after my traps, and had 
thrown myself down on the bank of the Ohio 
River to decide a question which had been vex- 
ing me many days. 

Never for a moment did I lose sight of the 


6 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

fact that it was necessary I have my wits about 
me in case I counted on keeping my hair, for 
many a scalp had been taken in that vicinity 
within the six months just passed, and I believed 
that nothing larger than a squirrel could come 
within striking distance, save by my own knowl- 
edge and consent. 

Therefore it was I sprang up very suddenly 
in the greatest alarm when a white man stood 
before me, having approached so silently that it 
was almost as if he had come up through the 
very earth. 

It is not to be supposed that Indians were 
the only beings in form of men we settlers on 
the Ohio had reason to fear in those days ; there 
were many white men whose hearts were as 
black as those of the savages, and who would 
draw bead on one of their kind from sheer love 
of spilling blood, if no other reason presented 
itself. 

As I have set down here, I sprang to my feet, 
rifle in hand, ready for the first threatening 


SIMON KENTON. 


7 


movement on the part of the stranger ; but he 
gave little token of being an enemy. 

His weapon was thrown across the hollow 
of his arm as he stood looking at me in a friendly 
manner, and I might easily have shot him down, 
unless he was quicker with a rifle than any other 
I had ever met. 

A young fellow was this newcomer, hardly 

c — ’ 

more than one and twenty, as it then seemed to 
me, and there was that in his face which gave 
token that he might be a close friend or a 
dangerous enemy, whichsoever way he was 
approached. 

“ Out for fur ? ” he said rather than asked, 
glancing down at the traps which lay near at 
hand. 

I nodded; but remained on my guard, de- 
termined not to be taken at a disadvantage by 
soft words. 

“ It is better to keep movin’, than lay ’round 
where a sneakin’ Injun miglit creep up a bit too 
near,” he s^id with a smile, as he seated himself 


8 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

near the decaying tree-trunk on which I had 
left the traps. 

‘‘ I would have sworn neither white nor red 
could have come upon me in the fashion you 
did,” I said hotly, and thoroughly ashamed of 
myself for having been so careless. 

“1 reckon it might have puzzled an Injun to 
do the trick. If I couldn’t beat them at movin’ 
’round, my head would have been bare these five 
years.” 

It sounded much like boasting, his claiming 
to be able to beat an Indian at woodcraft, for 
at that time I believed the savages could out- 
wit any settler who ever lived ; but before many 
weeks had passed I came to understand that 
I had been sadly mistaken. 

“Is that your cabin yonder under the big 
knoll ? ” he asked, more as if by way of begin- 
ing a conversation than from curiosity. 

“Yes ; have you been there ? ” 

“I looked it over ; but didn’t try to scrape 
acquaintance, Does your mother live there ? ” 


SIMON KENTON. 


9 


“ Yes ; she and I alone.” 

“ What sent her down into this wilderness 
with no one but a lad like yourself? ” he asked, 
speaking as if he was twice my age, when, un- 
less all signs failed, he was no more than five 
years my elder. 

“ Father was with us when we came, last 
year. He was killed by the murdering savage 
sneaks nearly two months ago.” 

“ Why did you hold on here ? ” the stranger 
asked, eying me curiously. “ Surely the clearin’ 
isn’t so far along that it pays to risk your life 
for it.” 

“ Mother would have packed off ; but I 
couldn’t leave.” 

“Why?” 

“ It’s a poor kind of a son who won’t at least 
try to wipe off such a score, and I’ll hold on 
here till those who killed the poor old man 
have found out who I am ! ” 

Tears of mingled rage, grief, and helplessness 
Qarpe into my eyes as I spoke thus hotly, and I 


10 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

wheeled around quickly lest this stranger, seeing 
them, should set me down for a younger lad than 
I really was. 

“ It’s quite a job you’ve shouldered,” he said 
after a pause. “ The Injuns nearabout here 
ain’t to be caught nappin’ e|^ery hour in the day, 
and the chances are your mother may find her- 
self alone on the clearin’ before you have made 
any great headway in settlin’ the score.” 

“ Because you crept up on me, there is no 
reason why the red snakes can do the same 
thing ! ” I cried angrily, whereupon he nodded 
gravely as if agreeing with me, after which he 
asked : 

“ How old are you ? ” 

‘‘ Must a fellow have seen so many years 
more or less before he can do the work of a 
man ? ” I demanded, giving proof by my 
petulance that I was yet little more than a 
child. 

“ It was not with anything of the kind in my 
mind that I asked the question. Perhaps I 


Simon kenton; 


11 

woodered if you’d had the experience that’ll be 
needed before your work is done.” 

I’m just turned sixteen,” I replied, thoroughly 
ashamed of having displayed an ill-temper. 

“ Where did you come from ? ” 

“ Pennsylvania.” 

“ Was your father a Tory ? ” he asked. 

“ Indeed he wasn’t ! ” and now I grew 
again. “ He believed we might better our con- 
dition by pushing into the wilderness, for when 
a man’s land is overrun by two armies, as ours 
had been, farming is a poor trade.” 

Then he questioned me yet more closely 
until I had come to an end of my short story, 
which began with the day we set out from the 
colony founded by William Penn, and ended 
with that hour when I came across my poor 
father’s mangled body scarce half a mile from our 
clearing, where the beasts in human form had 
tortured him. * 

All this I told the stranger as if he had been 
an old friend, for there was something in his 


12 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

voice and manner which won my heart at once, 
and when the sad tale was ended I came to 
understand he had not questioned me idly. 

“ My name is Simon Kenton,*’ he said, after a 
time of silence, as if he was turning over in 
mind what I had told him. “ The day I was 
sixteen 1 took to the wilderness because of — 
there is no reason why that part of it need be 
told. It was six years ago, an’ in those years 
I’ve seen a good bit of life on the frontier, though 
perhaps it would have been better had I gone 
east an’ taken a hand with those who are fight- 
in’ against the king. But a soldier’s life would 
rufile my grain, I reckon, so I’ve held on out 
here, nearabout Fort Pitt, where there’s been 
plenty to do.” 

“ Fort Pitt ! ” I exclaimed. “ Why, that’s a 
long distance up the river ! ” 

“ Six hundred miles or so.” 

“ Are you down here trapjAng ? ” I asked, now 
questioning him as he had me. 

“ I’m headin’ for Corn Island ?” 


SIMON KENTON. 


13 


“ Then you haven’t much further to go. Its 
no more than a dozen miles down the river.” 

“ So I guessed. I left my canoe over yon- 
der, an’ took to the shore partly to find some- 
thin’ in the way of meat, an’ partly to have a 
look around.” 

Then it was, and before I could question him 
further, he told me why he had come, the sub- 
stance of which I have already set down in the 
language of another. At that time he did not 
give me the story complete as it was written by 
him whose words I quoted at the beginning of 
this tale ; but I understood the settlers were 
making a move against the British and Indians, 
and it seemed to me a most noble undertaking, 
for, had not the king’s officers incited the savages 
to bloody deeds, the frontier might have been 
a land of peace. 

When he was come to an end of the story, 
and Simon Kenton was not one to use more 
words than were necessary, I proposed that he go 
with me to my home, for by this time it was 


14 


ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 


near to noon, and I had suddenly lost all desire 
to continue the work of setting traps. 

He agreed right willingly, as if it favored his 
plans to do so, and we two went back to the clear- 
ing, he moving through the thicket more like a 
shadow than a stoutly built man whose weight 
seemed against such stealthy traveling. Never 
had I seen such noiseless progress ; a squirrel 
would have given more token of his presence, 
and I wondered not that he had been welcomed 
at Fort Pitt as a scout, spy, or whatever one 
may please to call his occupation. 

My mother made the young man welcome, as 
she would have done any I might have brought 
in with me to our home in Pennsylvania, and 
out here in the wilderness, where we had not 
seen a strange, yet friendly, face since my poor 
father was murdered, she was rejoiced to meet 
one who might give us news of the outside 
world. 

Simon Kenton was not a polished man such 
as would be met within the eastern colonies 


SIMON KENTON. 


15 


but he gave every token of honest purpose, 
and it was impossible to remain long in his 
company without believing him to be one who 
would be a firm friend at all times. 

We enjoyed his visit more than can be told, 
and then without warning he broached that 
subject which had a great bearing upon all my 
life from that moment. 

“ Why do you try to hold your mother here 
in the wilderness, Louis Nelson?” he asked 
suddenly. “ Surely a lad like yourself cannot 
hope to make a clearing unaided, and it is but 
keeping her in great danger of a cruel death.” 

“ What other can I do ? ” I asked in surprise, 
having no inkling as to his true meaning. 

“ Take her where she will at least be able to 
lie down at night without fear of being aroused 
by the gleam of the scalping knife, or the flames 
of her own dwelling,” he replied decidedly. 

“ All we have in the world is here,” my mother 
said half to herself. 

“ Then it will not be hard to leave it, for a 


16 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

boy of Louis’ age should be able to provide you 

with as good almost anywhere else.” 

I looked at him in open-mouthed astonish- 
ment, whereupon he said in such a tone as 
forced one to believe he spoke only the truth : 

‘‘We have every reason to believe there will 
be bloody scenes hereabout before Major Clarke 
has finished his work. You cannot hope to 
hold out against the painted scoundrels w^ho 
will roam up and down the river in search cf 
white blood that can be spilled. Send your 
mother back to Fort Pitt by the boats that will 
soon be returnin’, an’ join me in this expedition. 
You can go to her in the fall with money 
enough to provide another home as good, or 
better, than this, an’ what is of more account, 
you’ll have the satisfaction of knowin’ that she 
is in safety.” 

There is no good reason why I should set 
down here all the arguments Simon Kenton 
used to persuade me to break up the home my 
father had established^ although in poor shape. 


SIMON KENTON. 


17 


at the cost of his life, nor yet speak of his 
efforts to make my mother believe I would be 
in less danger with Major Clarke’s force, than if 
I remained there struggling to make headway 
against the encroachments of the wilderness, at 
the same time that I would be forced to re- 
main on the alert lest a pitiless, savage foe take 
my life. 

It is enough if I say that before the shadows 
of night began to lengthen both my mother 
and myself were convinced he had given good 
advice, and were ready to follow it as soon as a 
new day had dawned. 

We decided to leave our poor belongings 
where they were, and set out with Kenton next 
morning. Mother should go to Fort Pitt where 
she would be protected, and I, with the consent 
of Major Clarke, was to enlist in the troop 
which it was believed would drive out of the 
country those unscrupulous British officers who 
were constantly striving to stir up the savages 
against such of the settlers as believed the 


18 ON THE KENTtrCKY ERONI'IER. 

colonists had. good cause to rebel against the 
king. 

Until a late hour did Simon Kenton sit with 
us two, telling of the many adventures he had 
met with since the day he left his home in Fau- 
quier County, Virginia, six years before, and 
although the stories related to deeds of daring 
and hair-breadth escapes, there was in his speech 
nothing of boasting. It was as if he spoke of 
what some other person had done, and without 
due cause for praise. 

Never once did he speak of his reason for 
leaving home, and there was a certain something 
in his manner which prevented me from asking 
any questions. He told so much of his life 
story as seemed to him proper, and we were 
content, believing him to be a young man of 
proven courage and honest purposes. 

Kenton and I slept on the skins in front of 
the fireplace, where I had ever made my bed, 
and so little fear had we the enemy might be 
near, that I never so much as looked out of 


SIMON KENTON. 


19 


doors after mother went up the ladder which 
led to the rough attic she called her cham* 
ber. 

It was the first time since my father’s cruel 
death that I had not circled around the cabin 
once or more to make certain everything was 
quiet ; the coming of this young man had 
driven from my mind all thought of possible 
danger. 

Those who live on the frontier sleep lightly, 
it is true ; but they do not waste much time in 
tossing about on the bed before closing their 
eyes in slumber — and I was in dream-land 
within a very few moments after stretching out 
at full length. 

It seemed as if I had but just lost conscious- 
ness when I awakened to find a heavy hand 
covering my mouth, and to hear Simon Kenton 
whisper : 

“ There is need for us to turn out. The 
sneakin’ redskins have surrounded the cabin. 
Are you awake ? ” 


20 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

1 nodded, for it would have been impossible 
to speak while his hand w^as like to shut oif my 
breath, and he rose softly to his feet. 

It is not necessary for me to say that we on 
the Ohio in 1778 thought first in the morning of 
oar rifles, and never lay down at night without 
having the trusty weapons where we could grasp 
them readily. Thus it was that, when I followed 
Kenton’s example, I rose up ready for a 
struggle. 

Not a sound could I hear, save the soughing 
of the wind among the trees ; but I knew my 
companion had good cause for giving an alarm, 
and had probably been on the alert while I was 
composing myself to sleep. 

Get word to your mother ; but do not let 
her come down here,” he whispered when I 
joined him at the shuttered window, where he 
stood with his ear to the crevice. ‘‘ Make no 
noise, an’ it may be we can take the painted 
snakes by surprise, which will be a fine turnift’ 
of the t 9 -bl^s,” 


SIMON KENTON. 


21 


I did as he directed, and heard my mother 
say in a low voice as I turned to descend the 
ladder : 

“ Be careful, Louis, and do not expose your- 
self recklessly in order to give our visitor the 
idea that you can ecj^ual him in deeds of dar- 
ing.” 

Under almost any other circumstances I could 
have laughed at the idea that I might even hope 
to equal such as Simon Kenton in bravery ; but 
with death lurking close at hand one does not 
give way to mirth, and I hastened to the young 
man’s side as a prayer of thankfulness went up 
from my heart because it had so chanced he was 
with us when an experienced head and arm 
were needed. 

It is not my purpose to belittle myself. 
While looking up to our visitor as an elder and 
one well versed in such warfare as was before 
us, I knew full well I should not have acted a 
stupid part had I been alone. I might fail to 
hold my own against the savages ; but de^th 


22 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

would not have been invited by my own 

folly. 

The door, as well as the window shutters, was 
loop-holed, and here Kenton took his stand, 
stationing me at that side of the house nearest 
the knoll, from where we might naturally ex- 
pect the enemy would come. 

My mother appeared before we had made all 
the arrangements for a fight, and at once set 
about supplying us with ammunition and food 
in order that we might not be forced to move 
from our posts in quest of either. 

Then she took up my father’s rifle, which was 
leaning against the side of the hut nearest me, 
as if to show that it was her purpose to do 
whatsoever lay in her power toward the defense, 
whereupon Kenton shook his head disapprov- 
ingly, and might have made objection to being 
aided by a woman ; but before he could open 
his lips to speak the painted fiends were upon 
us. 

With whoops and yells they rose up close 
/' 


SIMON KENTON. 


23 


under tlie walls of tlie cabin, where we might 
not be able to draw bead upon them, and at the 
same instant a volley of rifle shots rang out as 
three bullets came inside between the crevices » 
of the logs. 


24 : 


ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 


CHAPTER II. 

BESIEGED. 

This kind of warfare was new to me. Al- 
though living on the frontier so far from any 
other settlement, our cabin had never before 
been attacked by savages. 

My father was killed some distance away 
from home, and, judging from the signs near- 
about the place where he had been tortured to 
death, it seemed certain that no more than three 
Indians had captured him. 

Most likely it was a party of hunters, who 
had not really come out for mischief, but seein^’ 
an opportunity to take the life of a wdiite man. 
seized upon it. If they had been on the war- 
path, then beyond a perad\^enture our cabin 
would have been attacked. 


BESIEGED. 


25 

To Simon Kenton, however, this sort of work 
was by no means new. He had been besieged 
many times, as we knew from the stories the 
young man told us a short time jDrevious ; but I 
ventured to say that never before had he been 
pitted against the painted foes with so small a 
force, and in a place where it was not probable 
any help could come. 

Our cabin was situated so far back from the 
river that those passing up or down the stream 
would not suspect a habitation was near at hand, 
and, unless well acquainted with the clearing, an 
hundred men might go back and forth, never 
thinking that a settler had ventured in this 
vicinity. 

Therefore it was that I, and most likely 
Simon Kenton also, realized how entirely alone 
we were. Unless we could beat off this foe 
which had so suddenly assailed us, within a 
comparatively short time, the end was near at 
hand for all, because no preparations had been 
made for a siege, and our store of provisions and 


26 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

water, even with careful husbanding, must be 
exhausted within a few days. 

As all this came into my mind, and I learned 
that it was possible for the Indians to send their 
bullets inside, through the chinks between the 
logs, provided they were sufficiently good marks- 
men, my heart sank within me. I said to my- 
self that Kenton had come too late to be of 
service to us, and too soon for his own safety. 

As I have said, the savages had crept up under 
the cover of darkness close beneath the walls of 
the cabin, and were able to shoot at us with but 
little danger to themselves. Our only hope lay 
in dislodging them from their place of vantage, 
and this much I realized fully even though 
unexperienced in warfare. 

On reading what is here set down one may 
say that a boy of sixteen, situated as was I at 
that moment, would not thus calmly weigh the 
chances for and against a successful defense. 
In reply to such criticism, I would say that in 
my opinion any lad of ordinary intelligence 


BESIEGED. 


27 


must perforce liave had much the same thoughts, 
because of the ample time for reflection. 

After the first volley, and until perhaps ten 
minutes had elapsed, the Indians gave no sign 
of life. All was still as if we three were alone 
in the wilderness — as if it had been some hideous 
nightmare which awakened us. During such 
time, Simon Kenton stood like a statue; but in 
such attitude as gave me to understand that all 
his senses were alert. He was an experienced 
Indian fighter, listening for some token which 
should give him a clue as to how he might best 
protect his own life. 

My mother remained near one of the loop- 
holes at the rear of the house, also on the alert, 
and I had not moved from the position taken up 
when we made our first poor preparations for the 
defense. 

Suddenly, and when I had come to believe 
that our chances for a successful defense were 
slight indeed, Simon Kenton moved swiftly, yet 
noiselessly, to that side of the room opposite 


28 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

where I was standing, thrust the muzzle of his 
rifle between the logs near to the ground and 
fired. 

A cry of pain followed the report of the 
weapon, and it was as if the noise had but just 
died away, when the young man had his rifle 
charged once more, so rapid were his movements. 

One, two, three minutes, perhaps, passed in 
silence, and again, but in another quarter, did 
Kenton repeat his maneuver, although during 
this time I had heard nothing whatsoever save 
my own labored breathing. 

A second cry from without told that tw^o of 
the painted snakes had received a more or less 
serious dose of lead without having inflicted 
injury upon us. 

I knew that Kenton’s acts had been the re- 
sult of his keen sense of hearing, and said to 
myself that the man must have been fitted by 
nature for work like this, since it would be im- 
possible for any person to train his ears to such 
perfection. 


BESIEGED. 


29 


This thought was in my mind when I heard 
a rustling of the foliage on the outside near 
Avhere I stood, and that instant I made as if to 
copy the example of my companion. 

“ It is too late now,” he said in a low tone. 
“ The snakes are creepin’ off satisfied that they 
are like to get the worst of such a game. They 
will hatch up some other plan before troublin’ 
us again.” 

“ But surely we haven’t bested them so soon 
as this,” I replied like a stupid, and he laughed 
as if there was somewhat of humor in my re- 
mark. 

“ They have come here to plunder this cabin, 
and are not like to draw off so soon. We will 
liave enough of their company within the next 
four and twenty hours ; but for a time I reckon 
we have got a breathin’ spell. This is the way 
the British king wages war ; provokin’ the sav- 
ages against peaceful settlers ; but once Major 
Clarke has broken up the English nests. I’ll 
venture to say the scurvy redcoats will turn 


30 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

their attention to other matters than playin’ the 

part of butchers.” 

“ If we had only started to meet Major Clarke’s 
force when you first arrived,” I said despond- 
ently, whereat Simon Kenton clapped me on 
the shoulder in a friendly fashion, as he cried : 

“This is no time to be thinking of what 
might have happened, Louis Nelson. Men on 
the frontier must ever look forward, else by gaz- 
ing backward their hearts may grow timorous. 
Until we have driven off these savages it should 
be to us as if Major Clarke’s force had never 
set out.” 

Mother had made no attempt to join in the 
conversation. Her pale face and quivering lips 
told that she was thinking of that time, only 
such a short distance in the past, when father 
had been in the clutches of those who at that 
moment thirsted for our blood, and grief over- 
shadowed all the fears which the future could 
present. 

Observing her, and knowing full well what 


Besieged. 31 

terrible memories had come trooping into her 
mind, I fell silent, striving as best I could to 
keep back the timoroiisness which threatened 
to overcome me as I thus realized what the 
wretches on the outside would do once our feeble 
defense was overcome. 

Simon Kenton moved here and there noise- 
lessly as a cat, intent only upon learning so much 
of what might be going on outside as his ears 
could tell him. 

While I remained motionless and silent at 
the post assigned me, he never ceased for an 
instant his stealthy movements, and the knowl- 
edge that he was so keenly on the alert did 
much towards strengthening my weak heart. 

AYhen perhaps an hour had passed thus in 
silence, a great hope came to me, and foolishly 
I gave it words. 

The savages, finding that we were prepared 
for them, have drawn off,” I said, whereat Ken- 
ton smiled pityingly as one might at the foolish 
remark of a child. 


32 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

‘‘We are not rid of tliem so easily, else are 
they dilferent from any of the scoundrels I have 
chanced to come across. Once having made an 
attack, and blood has been drawn, I warrant you, 
we must beat them olf by sheer force before we 
can count on their leaving this clearin’.” 

When perhaps another hour had passed, and 
yet the enemy made no sign, I was grown more 
courageous, and ate of the corn cake and dried 
venison which had been set out for our refresh- 
ment ; but mother remained wrapped in gloomy 
thought, and Simon Kenton did not even for 
the slightest space of time relax his vigilance. 

It must have been well on toward morning 
before we heard aught more of those whose 
great desire was to shed our blood. 

Then the first intimation I had of any move- 
ment was the report of Kenton’s rifle. 

“ Did you see anything ? ” I asked in a 
tremor. 

“ No ; but they are cornin’ this Avay with brush- 
wood, havin’ an idea to set fire to the cabin.” 


BESIEGED. 


S3 


Even though the danger which beset us was 
great, I could not repress my curiosity. It 
seemed almost as if he had made me a foolish 
answer, for how might a man know, when it 
was so dark that one could not see three paces 
from the cabin in either direction, that the 
savages were making ready for any such at- 
tempt, and I asked how he was so positive as to 
their movements. 

“ I have heard them rippin’ off the dry 
branches with their knives, and, just before I 
fired, knew from the noise in the thicket that 
they were draggin’ the brushwood this way.” 

I was almost bewildered by this man’s knowl- 
edge of woodcraft ; but refrained from com- 
menting, contenting myself by saying in a tone 
of satisfaction : 

“ They will not make much headway at setting 
these green logs on fire. It is but two days 
since the rain came down in such torrents that 
the outside of the cabin must be sodden with 

water.” 

3 


34 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

“ They may succeed in fillin’ the room with 
smoke ; but that counts for little. The fiames 
will giv^e us an opportunity which must not be 
neglected.” 

It is possible that the savages came to under- 
stand all this before carrying out the plan which 
Kenton believed had been formed, for after he 
discharged his rifle we heard no more of them, 
and, finally, when it seemed as if at least eight 
and forty hours were passed, the gray light 
came stealing through the thicket, slowly dis- 
pelling the darkness, until w^e had clear range 
of vision from the loopholes on either hand. 

Twenty paces from the front of the house lay 
a pile of dry brush, telling that Simon Kenton’s 
ears had not deceived him. 

There were no signs of our foe. So far as 
one’s eyes might give him information, we were 
alone in the thicket with none to molest or make 
afraid. 

Kenton set about making a blaze in the fire- 
place, and such act aroused my mother from 


BESIEGED. 


35 

her sorrowful memories to a realization of the 
present. 

All her housewifely instincts took possession 
of her once more, and she set about preparing 
breakfast — perhaps the last meal we might ever 
eat. 

“ Think you the savages count on starving us 
out ? ” I asked, rather for the purpose of starting 
a conversation than to gain information. 

“ It may be that all the party are not yet ar- 
rived, and those who made the first attack are 
waitin’ for more to come up. If the entire force 
is here, then certain it is they count on starvin’ 
us, although so far as the villains know, that 
may prove a long task. Were you and I alone, 
I should favor tryin’ to give ’em the slip after 
midnight ; but it would be folly to attempt any- 
thing of the kind while your mother is to be 
protected.” 

“You will not find her a coward,” I said 
proudly, whereat he replied with a laugh : 

■ Of that we have already had good proof; 


36 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

but there would be too much danger in attempt- 
in’ to fight our way out while she was with us. 
After a time ” 

He was interrupted by rifle shots in the dis- 
tance. First one, then a couple, and, after an 
interval of four or five seconds, what sounded 
like a regular volley. 

Then came scattering shots, by which I un- 
derstood that whoever was engaged in deadly 
combat had succeeded in gaining a shelter, and 
was firing only when the possibility of hitting 
a target presented itself. 

“ Can it be that some of Major Clarke’s force 
have come our way ? ” I asked as a great hope 
came into my heart ; but Simon Kenton speed- 
ily dashed it. 

“ The major’s men are to sail down the river, 
and would not stop this side of Corn Island, 
save through dire necessity.” 

“ Then who can the savages have been firing 
at ? ” 

‘‘ Some white man must have ventured this 


BESIEGED. 


37 


way, as did I, and walked into tke very thick of 
them.” 

“ But all the while we have lived here you 
are the first who has come to this clearing by 
accident,” I replied, still bent on believing that 
some of the major’s forces must have gone out 
of their road, and were thus near enough to lend 
aid in our time of trouble. 

“ It is a trapper or a settler,” Kenton said de- 
cisively, with the air of one who will not admit 
himself at fault. “ The question in my mind is 
whether I’m not bound to lend a hand.” 

“ Surely you would never think of leaving 
the cabin in daylight, when you know beyond a 
perad venture that the savages are watching it ? ” 
my mother said in alarm, and Kenton turned 
away as if realizing the truth of her words. 

It is not possible for me to set down on paper 
such as will enable another to understand our 
feelings during this time when we knew white 
men were struggling for life, and needing the 
aid which we were powerless to give. 


38 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

It seemed little short of the veriest cowardice 
to remain within shelter at such a time, and yet 
all of us knew full well that speedy death 
would come to him who should venture out. 

Five minutes after the first report was heard 
all was silent again, for mayhap half an hour, 
daring which time each of us, even Kenton, had 
come to hope the Indians were baffled in their 
effort to murder, and with that hope came into 
my mind a most intense regret that we had 
not been able to give warning of our sore 
need. 

I persisted in believing that some of Major 
Clarke’s men had been near at hand, and said 
to myself we might have escaped all our perils 
could it have been possible to give an alarm. 

When half an hour had passed the firing 
broke out again, not in volleys, but with a shot 
at intervals of ten or fifteen seconds, and then 
we all fancied screams of pain and exultation 
could be heard. 

“ The savages have succeeded ! ” Kenton said 


BESIEGED. 


39 


curtly. “ Whoever blundered this way has 
already paid for the mistake, or will before the 
sun rises again.” 

Mother, her mind once more in the past, 
turned pale as death and I trembled like one 
with an ague, for it seemed at the moment as if 
this was a token of what our fate would be. 

The breakfast which mother had been pre- 
paring was neglected until some time later, when 
Simon Kenton said with an evident effort at 
cheerfulness : 

“ We’re playin’ the fool to stand here as if 
waitin’ for the painted scoundrels to do their 
will. We have no reason to despair because 
they have captured some unfortunate ; but 
should be all the more determined to worst 
them.” 

Then he deftly finished the work mother had 
begun, and insisted upon our sharing in the 
meal, for, according to his belief, there was no 
reason why we need stand close guard now 
that the sun had risen. 


40 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

Under such circumstances it was difficult to 
eat, at least I found it so ; food well-nigh choked 
me, but I forced it down because of his stern 
command, and we made at least the semblance 
of eating breakfast, with as much zest as you 
can fancy people display under the shadow of 
the gallows. 

When the pretense of a meal had come to an 
end, Kenton got up from the table and stood at 
the loop-hole in the door an instant, giving vent 
to a low exclamation of surprise or dismay as 
he peered forth. 

In a twinkling I was by his side, and there 
saw that which caused the cold chill of fear to 
run down my back. 

Directly in front of the cabin, toward the 
river, beyond range of our rifles, stood a 
man and a boy, each bound hand and foot to 
a tree trunk. 

It was the report of their guns that we heard, 
and fortune had been unkind to them, else 
death would have come during the fight. It 


BESIEGED. 


41 


had been delayed that it might be accompanied 
by the keenest torture. 

“ Are they neighbors of yours ? ” Kenton 
asked. 

So far as I know, there are no settlers near- 
about.” 

“ Then this man and boy have come lookin’ 
for a place to make a clearin^, or are workin’ 
their way eastward from some point below on 
the river.” 

This did not seem a reasonable explanation, 
to my mind, for if the prisoners had been com- 
ing up the river they would not have ventured 
so far away as must have been the case when the 
Indians discovered them ; but my heart was too 
heavy to admit of making any argument against 
his assertion, which, as a matter of fact, was of 
but little consequence now that they were 
doomed to a cruel death. 

And that they were doomed we knew full 
well. The savages were counting on torturing 
them where we might have a full view of the 


42 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

horrible spectacle, and we could not hope any- 
thing would happen to prevent it. 

On the evening previous Simon Kenton had 
told us the story of a settler who was beset 
even as we were then, and whose nearest neigh- 
bor was tortured at the stake within his range 
of vision that the helpless man might see what 
was in store for him when he could no longer 
make 'any defense. 

While hearing the story it was impossible for 
me to realize how agonizing must have been 
the position of the besieged man. Now I un- 
derstood it keenly, and resolved not to look out 
from that side of the house again, lest the 
painted fiends should begin their horrible 
work before night came. 

Mother knew from our conversation what 
it was we gazed at, and remained nearabout the 
fireplace striving to choke back the sobs of 
grief and sympathy which shook her frame. 

After gazing upon the helpless captives five 
minutes or more, as if to picture indelibly upon 


BESIEGED. 


4S 

his mind all the surroundings, Simon Kenton 
began moving to and fro across the end of the 
room, not on the alert against the enemy, but 
apparently plunged in deep thought. 

After a time he said curtly to me : 

Keep a lookout on either side, lad, for some 
of the snakes may grow careless, an’ you will 
get a shot.” ^ 

Then he fell to pacing to and fro again, and 
after what seemed a very long time of most 
painful silence, said to me as if announcing the 
most commonplace fact : 

“ I count on lendin’ a hand to those poor 
fellows yonder.” 

“ Lending a hand ! ” I repeated in amazement. 
‘‘ Haven’t you declared it was impossible to 
leave this house without being shot down ? ” 

“ Yes, an’ I reckon that comes pretty near 
being the truth.” 

Then how may you give them any assist- 
ance ? ” 

“ I am not countin’ on tryin’ to do anything 


44 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

just HOW. There’s like to be plenty of time, for 
unless something happens to interrupt the curs, 
they will not torture the prisoners until even- 
ing. When the sun goes down I shall creep out.’' 

“ And then is the time when the Indians will 
keep a closer watch,” I ventured to say. 

“Ay, lad, you are right, and yet we must 
contrive to outwit them. Instead of openin’ 
the door, Idl make my way through the small 
window at the rear, which can be the better 
guarded by you and your mother while the 
shutter is unfastened.” 

“ I shall go with you,” I said, speaking on 
impulse, and hardly realizing the meaning of 
the words. 

“ You’ll do nothing of the kind. Your duty 
is here, and mine there.” 


THE VENTURE. 


45 


CHAPTEE III. 

THE VENTURE. 

s 

I COULD not believe Simon Kenton would 
dare to make the venture of which he had 
spoken, for of a verity it seemed no less than 
the killing of one’s self. 

We knew beyond a perad venture that the 
Indians secreted in the thicket round about us 
were keeping sharp watch over the cabin, on the 
alert for a movement of such a kind, and there 
^v^as not a single chance in a hundred that one 
of us could even show his head out of either 
window or door without being shot down. 

That being the case, and there seemed no 
doubt about it, how might one venture forth so 
far as where the poor captives were lashed to 
the trees looking forward with almost certainty 


46 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

to all the terrible tortures which these brutes 

could devise ? 

Thinking over the matter after Simon Kenton 
had declared his purpose, I said to myself that 
he had spoken out of the fulness of his heart, 
and not with a belief that he might carry his 
proposition into execution. I argued, mentally, 
that his desire to aid the unfortunate creatures 
had caused him to believe the impossible might 
be accomplished ; but after he should have time 
to consider the matter thoroughly, he would 
realize that he could effect nothing more than 
his own death. 

After having said what he would do, Kenton 
paced to and fro, keeping sharp watch upon the 
thicket, and saying nothing. 

Once I would have spoken concerning the 
time when Major Clarke’s party might be ex- 
pected at Corn Island ; but he motioned me 
away as if he had no inclination for conversation. 

I had promised myself not to look out in the 
direction where the unhappy captives were to 


THE VENTURE. 


47 


be seen ; but it was as if their helplessness 
fascinated me to such a degree that I could not 
keep my eyes from them. 

I gazed at short intervals, but for no more 
than a few seconds at a time, and saw no change, 
save once when it appeared to me as if the man 
was speaking earnestly to the boy. 

I could readily fancy that the elder was try- 
ing to encourage the lad for that terrible time 
of trial, and the tears overflowed my eyes as I 
grew faint with horror while thinking of what 
the evening would bring forth. 

There is no good reason why I should try to 
give the details of our movements or conversa- 
tion during this wofully long day. We spoke 
together but little, first because Simon Kenton 
was buried in his own thoughts or plans, and 
secondly because my mother’s grief had been 
aroused by sight of the captives to such an ex- 
tent that her sobs put an end to speech. 

Twice did Kenton get a glimpse of a tuft of 
feathers in the underbrusli, and both times he 


48 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

discharged his rifle ; once bringing forth a shrill 
cry of pain, and again evidently missing his aim, 
which was by no means surprising under the 
circumstances. 

Late in the afternoon mother cooked another 
meal, and we went through the form of eating 
as if from a sense of duty. It was but justice 
to our bodies for us to do so, since no one could 
say when we might have another opportunity. 

Then the shadows of evening began to 
lengthen, and I glanced at Simon Kenton from 
time to time in order to learn how he might 
draw back after having announced so positively 
that he should make an effort at aiding the 
captives. 

But he had no idea of drawing back, as I * 
should have known had I been acquainted with 
him longer. 

During the latter part of the afternoon he 
surveyed the thicket in the rear of the house at 
frequent intervals ; partially opened the shutter 
two or three times to make certain it could be 


THE VENTURE. 


49 


swung outward noiselessly, and, finally, threw 
ofi* his hunting shirt lest the garment should 
hamper his movements. 

“ Are you indeed counting on the attempt ? ” 
I asked when he had thus put himself in trim 
for wriggling through the thicket^' 

“ I have already said so,” he replied calmly. 

“ There is too much danger ! You must not 
risk your life when the chances are all against 
you ! ” I cried vehemently. 

It will be easier to go than stay here and 
listen to that fiendish orgy which will begin 
before many hours have passed !” 

“You can hope to do no more than share the 
poor fellow’s fate ! ” I exclaimed impatiently. 

“ There is a chance I shall pull through, and 
the game is well worth the candle. 1 may not 
tell the story to you ; but there are good reasons 
why I, above all others, should risk my life in 
an effort to save others ; or, to put it in other 
words, why I ought to die trying to help those 

poor fellows, rather than remain idle.” 

4 


50 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

He spoke in sucli a solemn tone that I could 
not have argued further against his going, how- 
ever much it pained me, and I gazed at him in 
silence, wondering what might be the meaning 
of thoses trange words. 

Now that it appeared positive he would set 
forth, and equally certain he would be killed, I 
began to realize what might be our condition 
after he liad left my mother and myself alone 
to defend the cabin against the painted crew who 
thirsted for our blood. ! 

It was not probable the poor woman and I 
could hold out many hours after the brave fel- 
low departed, however good our courage or 
strong our endurance. The Indians would 
speedily overpower us, and I knew full well 
what the end must be unless I was so fortunate 
as to die fighting. 

Therefore it w^as as if I was assisting in an 
attempt to take my own life, when I did as 
Simon Kenton bid. 

‘‘ You are to stand by the window as I leap 


THE VENTURE. 


51 


out,” he said when the evening was nearly come, 
“ and on the first flash of a redskin’s rifle shoot 
at random if you see no target. The smoke will 
serve to partially hide my movements. Your 

mother is to take up her station at the front door 

Q 

until she hears you fire, and then- she’ll shoot 
over my head as soon as possible. I’m countin’ 
that you can keep the savages back till I’ve 
gained a shelter in the thicket. After that the 
shutter is to be barred quickly, and you will 
both stand on guard at the front door, unless some 
danger threatens from the rear. If you hear 
the cry of an owl repeated three times from any 
quarter, you can be certain I have succeeded, an’ 
there’s no need of sayin’ that you’re to be on 
the alert for my coming. It’s possible I shall be 
able to get in here again. If I fail in that, and 
yet remain free, you may be positive help will 
soon arrive to raise the siege.” 

He had crossed the room while speaking, and 
was now standing by the side of the window 
through which he proposed to pass. 


52 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

I stepped forward to press his hand, for I 
knew full well he would not linger once every- 
thing was ready for the perilous venture. 

It was as if he did not see me — perhaps it 
did not suit his mood to say good-by. At all 
events he kept his face from me even after the 
shutter was unbarred, and then, without turning 
his head, he whispered : 

“ Stand ready ! Kemember what I have 
said ! ” 

Then, with a quick movement, he flung open 
the shutter and had leaped through almost be- 
fore I realized his purpose. His swift bound 
served to bewilder me, and I stood gazing out, 
with my rifle raised, not realizing the necessity 
of closing the opening. 

It was mother who flung the shutter 
into place softly and replaced the bars, and 
I stood there like a stupid until the house 
was barricaded once more, when I said 
stupidly : 

“ The savages didn’t see him ! ” 


THE VENTURE. 


53 


“ It is God’s mercy, Louis,” my mother replied 
devoutly. “Possibly he may be permitted to 
rescue those poor creatures who must have suf- 
fered an hundred deaths already ! ” 

“ It can't be that he will succeed while so 
many keen eyes are close at hand. It is only 
reasonable to suppose all the crew are near 
about the captives, therefore how may one man 
prevail against them ? ” 

“ If it be the Lord’s will, there need be no 
counting the odds,” and having said this, mother 
knelt by the side of the table, while I, some- 
what recovered from my fear and bewilderment, 
went to the loophole in the door that I might 
keep the captives in view so far as the darkness 
permitted. 

It was not yet night, although the gloom of 
the forest was so dense that one could not dis- 
tinguish objects very far away, 

Simon Kenton had ventured out at that time 
when the gray of twilight distorts everything, 
causing even the most familiar features of th$ 


54 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

landscape to appear weird, and in so doing he 
had shown much wisdom. 

An hour later the Indians would have drawn 
closer to the cabin, suspecting we might make 
an attempt to escape under cover of darkness, 
and an hour earlier the light of day cut oif any 
hope of getting out unseen. 

Calculating the time to a nicety, moving 
swiftly as but few could move, he had left the 
cabin without alarming the wary foe, and thus 
far his success was so great as to astonish me. 

I could yet barely distinguish the forms of 
the unhappy prisoners, and, moving to and fro 
near them like evil things, were shadow^-like 
figures which I knew to be Indians. 

As a matter of course it was impossible for 
me to see the faces of these two over whom 
hovered a most cruel death ; but I could well 
imagine the expression of despair on their 
faces. 

They could not fail to understand that it was 
worse than vain to hope aid would come in the 


THE VENTURE. 


55 


hour of their extremity, and yet I doubt not 
they tried to encourage themselves by saying it 
was possible a party of white men might pass 
that way before the horrible orgy should be 
begun. 

While gazing through the loophole, my 
mother remaining on her knees praying fervently, 
I said again and again to myself that Simon 
Kenton could do nothing single-handed against 
that mob of murdering brutes. In fact, now 
he was outside the house all the chances were 
against my ever seeing him again. It was 
hardly within the range of probability he could 
save his own life if he made even the slightest 
effort to rescue the prisoners. 

The shadows of night gathered rapidly, and 
yet it seemed as if each second was a full 
minute in length. I was in that agonizing 
frame of mind where one is raised by hope and 
buried under despair at the same instant. 

Although my ears were strained to catch the 
lightest sound, I heard nothing save the rustling 


56 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

of the foliage as it was stirred by the gentle 
night wind. If Simon Kenton was attempting 
to approach the prisoners, he must have made a 
detour through the thicket to avoid the savages 
who undoubtedly kept close watch over the 
cabin lest we unfortunate ones should give them 
the slip. 

After a time, and it was impossible for me to 
decide whether I had remained on watch one 
hour or two, a tiny gleam of light could be 
seen in the direction where I knew the prisoners 
were stationed, and as it increased in size I un- 
derstood that the brutes were making ready for 
their horrible sport. 

The flame grew brighter and brighter until I 
could distinguish the forms of the helpless ones, 
with dark figures flitting between my line of 
vision and the fire, and I mentally joined my 
nlother in her prayer for the relief of those 
whom I believed were beyond all earthly aid. 

As I knew the savages had done many times 
before, so they were about to do now- — torture 


THE VENTURE. 


57 


us at the same time they inflicted death on their 
prisoners. 

We were to be shown what would speedily 
be our own fate. 

While I stood there helplessly watching the 
horrible preparations, a certain frenzy of rage 
took possession of me^^ and I no longer gave 
heed to anything save a desire to bring death 
upon some of that fiendish crew before they 
began the work of torture. 

“ I cannot stay here longer, mother ! ” I ex- 
claimed suddenly. “ If Simon Kenton risks his 
life to aid those who are strangers to him, why 
should I not be as brave ? Alone he cannot 
hope to effect a rescue, and will surely perish. 
With one other to help him, that which now 
seems impossible may be compassed.” 

As I think of the scene now, the wonder is that 
my dear mother did not remind me of what 
would be her fate if both Kenton and I were 
captured ; but the brave woman gave no heed 
to herself, nor to her love for me. 


58 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

Looking up while still remaining on her 
knees, she said softly : 

“ If you believe it your duty, my son, go, and 
may the good Grod grant that you come back to 
me alive ! ” 

These were not exactly the kind of words 
best calculated to give a lad courage, and I 
realized that by listening to her many seconds 
I should become cowardly. Even as I stood by 
her side my determination grew fainter ; in five 
minutes more timorousness might overcome me. 

“ I will leave the cabin as he did, mother, and 
you shall stand at the door ready to give us 
entrance, if it so be we come back.” 

Mother rose quickly to her feet ; kissed me 
fervently, and then, without delay, as if under- 
standing that it was not well to prolong the 
parting, began to unbar the shutter. 

In a twinkling I had put on powder horn and 
pouch ; looked well to my rifle, and was ready 
to follow Simon Kenton in his desperate ven- 
ture. 


THE VENTURE. 


The shutter was open. Not daring to look 
back, I sprang out, believing as I did so that 
the report of a rifle would be my death knell ; 
but no sound came. 

The savages, thinking we were securely 
caged, had gathered around the prisoners in 
readiness to begin the terrible work, and I was 
free to rush on to my own doom. 

While believing there was little chance I 
should succeed in saving my own life, I was not 
careless. 

Moving onward stealthily ; stopping at each 
yard of distance to learn if one of the foe might 
be near at hand, I pressed forward in a circle, 
counting on coming within view of the prison- 
ers at a point midway between the cabin and 
that fork in the path which led to the river- 
side. 

Each instant I expected to come upon Simon 
Kenton, and as the moments went by I began 
to understand that if he heard me approaching 
from the rear he might leap upon me, believing 


60 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

one of the savages was creeping upon him, and 
such realization caused me to hope it would be 
possible to avoid him. 

It was a strange situation, this being equally 
afraid of friend and foe, and could have been 
in a certain degree avoided if I had but accom- 
panied the young scout. 

Nothing interfered with my progress, how- 
ever, until I was arrived at the point for which 
I had been aiming, and saw full before me the 
preparations for the torture. 

Two fires had been built ten or twelve yards 
distant from the prisoners, evidently for pur- 
poses of illumination, and at the feet of the un- 
fortunate ones was heaped a quantity of dry 
wood, which would be kindled into a flame 
when the first portion of the terrible work had 
been concluded. 

Now the savages were making ready for the 
dance around their victims, and I saw fourteen 
of the painted brutes, hideous in feathers, beads 
and gaudy coloring. 


THE VENTURE. 


61 


To describe that which followed immediately 
after I had a view of the scene, would be im- 
possible. The fiends were alternately advancing 
toward the prisoners, and retreating, moving 
with a certain measured step, and brandishing 
weapons in the faces of the two who were help- 
less. 

The lad seemed literally frozen with terror ; 
but the man faced his cruel enemies as if defy- 
ing them to wring a cry of pain from his com- 
pressed lips. 

Perhaps five minutes passed while I thus re- 
mained motionless in the thicket within half a 
rifle-shot distance, and then one of the murder- 
ous brutes approached the boy knife in 
hand. 

I knew the poor lad was to be maimed in 
some manner. The same blinding rush of rage 
which had come upon me while I was in the 
cabin, overpowered all sense of danger. 

Giving no heed to my own peril j thinking 
only to save the frightened lad from immediate 


62 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

pain, I fired point blank at the brute who would 
have drawn the first blood, and when he fell, as 
though struck by lightning, a cry of triumph 
rang from my lips. 

What followed I am unable to set down of 
my own knowledge, for I was become like one 
in a fever of rage and desperation. 

I set about re-charging my rifle without giv- 
ing heed to the rush which should have followed 
the shot, and dimly, as if it was something in 
which I had no concern, I heard the report of 
another rifle ; another cry which seemed but the 
echo of my own. 

Before my feverish brain had taken in all 
this as a fact, I was I’eady to shoot again, and 
never had I aimed with more deliberation. I 
felt certain this second bullet of mine would 
find its target, and when it sped on its way I 
needed not to gaze at the be-feathered brute 
within range to know that he was dead or dis- 
abled. 

Again came what was like the echo of my 



The brute fell as though struck by lightning, and a cry of triumph rang from 
my lips. — Page C2. “ On the Kentucky Frontier, 







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THE VENTURE. 63 

own gun, and I saw four of tlie villains on the 
ground, Mobile the others had made for the near- 
est shelter, each seeking some tree trunk that 
would shelter his worthless body. 

Now I realized that I had come up nearly 
opposite w^here Simon Kenton was stationed, 
and he it was who had fired immediately after 
my rifle spoke. 

Thus attacked on either hand, the savages 
must have believed they were beset by a large 
force, and their only desire was to shelter them- 
selves from the deadly fire. 

While loading my rifle I looked for an instant 
at the boy. His eyes were opened wide ; his 
lips parted as if to cry out, and on his face was 
an expression of mingled hope and doubt pain- 
ful in its intensity. 

Again I saw a target. Twenty paces away 
was one of the brutes leaping from tree to tree 
as if striving to gain the river, and him I stopped 
on the instant. 

Ten seconds later came the report of a rifle 


64 


ON THE KENTiJcHf ERONTIEE. 


from the opposite side of the path, and I knew 
Simon Kenton had not wasted a bullet. 

No less than six of the feathered brutes were 
out of the tight, and it was only with difficulty 
that I repressed a cry of triumph, for I knew 
full well the villains would not linger long 
against an unseen foe whose aim was so deadly. 

Twice more did I fire, and once Kenton’s rifle 
rang out. Then I believed the brutes had 
taken refuge in flight, for two passed within 
my line of vision while I was reloading my 
weapon. 

“ Kenton ! ” I shouted, holding the rifle at 
my shoulder meanwhile, lest by raising my 
voice I might have brought the foe upon me, 
and before one could have counted twenty the 
young scout was by my side. 

“ Is it indeed you, lad ? ” he asked as if over- 
come wdth astonishment. 

“ And why not ? I have been able to take 
some part in the rescue ? ” 

‘‘ Some pa7% lad ? You have made it pos- 


THE VENTURE. 


65 


sible when I believed nothing might be done. 
But for your attack, yonder poor fellows would 
even now be in agony, because I could not 
have fired without bringing the whole gang 
upon me. A shot from both sides was what 
caused them to believe we had a large force.” 

“ Let us cut those prisoners loose,” I cried, 
waiting to hear no more, and eager to relieve 
them from their misery. 

“ Wait,” he whispered, clutching me by the 
arm. ‘‘ The snakes may take it into their heads 
to turn back, and it will be well if I quicken 
their pace a bit. Stand here, and do not come 
out from cover till I get back.” 

He was off like a flash, and with no more 
noise, while I remained on the alert for an 
attack ; but burning to set free the poor lad, 
who was seeking here and there with his eyes 
to learn if those who had saved him from pain 
were yet near at hand. 

Then the man spoke words of hope to the 

boy, as I could understand by the expression on 

5 


66 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

both their faces, and I waited with finger on the 
trigger of the rifle lest the savages should make 
one desperate effort to accomplish their cruel 
work. 

Surely if any of the Indians were near at 
hand now, some attempt would be made to kill 
the prisoners, and after waiting perhaps five 
minutes, I stepped boldly out within the rays 
of light. 

Near at hand were four rifles, where they had 
been left against a sapling while their owners 
took part in the dance of death, and I knew 
we might add the prisoners, ^vell armed, to our 
force. 

The lad gave vent to a low cry of most in- 
tense joy as he saw me ; but the man said 
quietly, as if it was quite natural I should be 
there : 

“ You came in good time. How many are 
with you ? ” 

“ Only one other, sir, and he is in pursuit of 
the savages,” I replied, wielding my hunting 


THE VENTURE. 


67 


knife to sever the bonds which held both pris- 
oners helpless. 

I had no more than given the poor fellows 
freedom, and while they stood chafing their 
wrists to restore the circulation of blood, Simon 
Kenton came up swiftly. 

“ It is well we get back to the cabin ; the 
snakes have halted just under the river bank, 
and it may be they will turn back to find out 
how many we can muster. Come on ! ” 

Stopping only sufficiently long to secure the 
rifles which were near at hand, we four ran to 
the cabin, the door of which my mother held 
open ; and once we were inside, the dear soul 
clasped me to her bosom as if I had come back 
from the dead, as indeed was very nearly the 
case. 


68 


ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 


CHAPTEK IV. 

PAUL SAMPSON. 

When we were inside the cabin once more, 
with the door and windows barred and the man 
and lad whom we had rescued eating ravenously 
from the store of food my mother set before 
them, there was in my mind the thought that I 
had good reason to be proud of the part I had 
so lately played, 

Simon Kenton and I had hilled, or driven off, 
a band of fourteen savages, and surely my por- 
tion of the work had not been slight. It seemed 
to me then, as now, that I did my full share in 
the business. It is true, except for the fact of 
our having taken the brutes by surprise, and 
come upon them in such fashion they had no 
means of knowing but that we outnumbered 


PAUL SAMPSON. 


69 


them three or four to one, the matter might have 
come to a different ending; but it was much to 
our credit that we had been able to surprise those 
wretches who seldom made an attack unless it 
can be begun in like manner. 

I repeat I was feeling proud of our work, more 
particularly when I looked at our guests, realiz- 
ing that but for Simon Kenton and myself they 
would at that very moment be suffering all the 
tortures the painted wolves could inflict, and I 
glanced at the young scout, thinking to read in 
his face thoughts akin to mine. 

In this I was mistaken. Despite what was 
very nearly a fact — that the Indians had been put 
to flight — he was standing by the loophole of the 
door keeping careful watch, and, so far as could 
be told by the expression on his face, it might 
have been us white men who were worsted in 
the encounter. 

I failed to see in his bearing anything to be- 
token that he had but lately faced death in its 
most horrible form in order to make an effort at 


70 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

saving the lives of strangers, and from that mo- 
ment I looked up to the young man much as if 
he had been of a superior race from any I had 
previously seen. 

It is not to be supposed that I stood idly by 
dwelling upon such thoughts as are here set 
down in words, while, for aught we knew, the 
brutes might be gathering in greater force than 
before. 

I was not so wholly given over to vanity as 
all that would indicate ; but moved here or 
there looking after our defense in such manner 
as seemed to me proper, my mind busy all the 
while, and the vainglorious thoughts dying away 
as I observed Kenton. 

Then, when the young scout had advised that 
I remain at the further end of the cabin, keep- 
ing watch from the loophole in the shutter, I 
turned my attention to those whom we had 
saved from the stake. 

They were father and son, as I learned from 
the conversation the elder was holding with my 


PAUL SAMPSON. Y1 

mother, who ministered to their wants at the 
table. Horace Sampson was the man’s name, 
and he called the lad Paul. 

The two had come from Maryland to locate a 
homestead, and the only wonder in my mind 
was that the savages had not taken them cap- 
tives before they got so far into the wilderness ; 
for neither of them knew as much regarding 
woodcraft as had I on my tenth birthday. 

They had believed it would be possible for 
them to frighten the Indians by a mere show of 
weapons, and could not be persuaded by those 
who had been on the frontier, that it was but 
little less than suicide to venture in this section 
of the country alone. 

For three weeks they had traveled here and 
there searching for a likely-looking location, and 
not until the day previous had the savages 
shown themselves. 

Then that which might have been expected 
happened in a twinkling, and before either the 
father or the son had an idea any danger threat- 


72 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

ened, they were disarmed, and bound wdthin 

view of our cabin, as I have related. 

Even after having been so near a terrible 
death, Mr. Sampson believed it might be pos- 
sible to retrace his steps in ’ safety ; but my 
mother cried out so loudly against any such 
foolhardy venture, and painted the dangers of 
the frontier in such vivid colors, that the igno- 
rant man finally came to believe it was hardly 
safe to trust himself alone amidst foes whose 
methods of warfare were so entirely a secret to 
him. 

Simon Kenton must have been listening to 
the conversation even as I had been doing, for 
he said when mother had ceased her warning : 

‘‘ The only safe path for you is that which 
leads to Corn Island. There you will find a 
goodly company, and I doubt not that before 
many days have passed you will meet with 
some who propose to journey on your road.” 

“ But how may we provide for ourselves on 
this island of which you speak ? ” the man 


PAUL SAMPSON. 


asked helplessly, and the question in itself was 
sufficient to prove his ignorance. 

“ There will be no lack of helping hands,” 
Simon Kenton replied with a smile. “ On the 
frontier men do not count the value of food and 
a shelter, as do those who live in town.” 

Then, as if to show he was pig-headed as 
well as ignorant, Mr. Sampson argued that he 
was not willing to accept charity from stran- 
gers ; that it would be demeaning himself to 
receive anything for which he was unable to 
pay. 

“You must do that, or take the chances of 
providin’ sport for the painted snakes, as you 
were like to do a short time ago,” Kenton re- 
plied curtly, and I understood by the tone that 
he was losing patience because of the man’s 
stubbornness. 

Having thus spoken the young scout turned 
once more to stand guard at the loophole, and 
Paul, the lad, his meal ended, came timidly to- 
ward where I was stationed. 


74 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

He appeared to be a boy after my own heart, 
entirely different in manners and speech from 
his father, and I decided at once that we should 
be firm friends so long as he might remain on 
the frontier. 

I could well understand that he was burning 
with a desire to ask questions, and did not 
hesitate to give him encouragement to begin. 

He was eager to know how long I had lived 
in the wilderness; how often I had fought 
against the savages, and such like simple ques- 
tions, all of which I answered until he was 
come to an end. 

Then I asked about his home in Maryland ; 
of his journey to the Ohio River, and, finally, 
how he felt while bound to the stake. 

“ The fear in my heart was so great that I 
did not fully have my senses,” he replied with 
a shudder. “ Not until the fires were kindled 
and the dancing had begun did I dream that 
those beasts would put us to death. 1 was 
like one in a dream until the first shot was 


PAUL Sampson. 


75 


fired, and a savage dropped dead almost at 
my feet.” 

“We didn’t open fire any too soon,” I said 
witli perhaps a tinge of pride in my tone be- 
cause I had played my part well, as it seemed 
to me. 

“ In another instant the Indian’s knife would 
have been in my body ! ” he cried. “ I could 
tell by the fierce gleam in his eyes, that he 
counted on taking my life.” 

“ The murdering brutes do not kill their 
prisoners so quickly or easily. He would have 
prolonged your life to its utmost limit, in order 
that you might suffer the more.” 

Then I told him of my father’s cruel death ; 
of what we had found to tell the horrible story, 
and before I had finished the tears were run- 
ning down his cheeks. 

Simon Kenton must have been listening to 
our conversation, for he called sharply, when 
Paul was almost overcome with grief : 

“ You lads had best get what sleep you can 


76 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

before daylight, for as soon as the sun rises, if 
it so be the red wolves have drawn off, we must 
set out for Corn Island.” 

I understood that he was not well pleased 
because I had frightened the lad who was so 
lately come from the bustling world, and it 
shamed me because of giving him, who was so 
brave, an opportunity for reproof. 

My mother spread out the skins near the fire- 
place, where I had been in the custom of sleep- 
ing, and Paul dutifully laid himself down, while 
his father remained at the table evidently in a 
brown stud^. 

It was not in my mind to allow Simon Kenton 
to perform all the labor, and I said stoutly, yet 
at the same time feeling that my eyes were grow- 
ing heavy : 

“ I count on doing my share of the watching 
this night. It is not right that I should sleep 
while you remain awake.” 

“ I should not trust you to stand guard alone, 
and there is no good reason why both of us re- 


PAUL SAMPSON. 77 

main on duty. Take your sleep now, that you 
may be the better fitted for a long day’s 
tramp.” 

He spoke in suck a commanding tone that I 
could do no less than obey, and when my mother 
clambered up the ladder to her bed in the loft 
I lay down by Paul’s side, closing my eyes in 
slumber almost as soon as my body was stretched 
out at full length. 

The day had dawned when a cry from Simon 
Kenton brought me to my feet in alarm, believ- 
ing the savages were upon us ; but he quieted 
my fears as he said with a laugh : 

“ I had a notion of findin’ out how long you 
need to get your eyes open wide. If we two 
are to join Major Clarke, we should be well ac- 
quainted.” 

“ I am not such an idiot as to sleep after be- 
ing summoned,” I replied just a trifle testily, for 
it seemed much as if he was making sport of 
me. “ I may not be as well up in woodcraft as 
are you ; but I’m no idler.” 


78 ON THE KENTtrCKY FRONTIER. 

“ Now you are takin’ me too seriously,” he 
replied with another laugh which disarmed me 
of anger. “ It was high time you made ready 
for the tramp, an’ I’m pleased to see you so 
quick at a call. He who finds it hard to shake 
the sleep from his eyes should remain in towns 
where he need not hold a rifle ever at hand in 
order to save his life. Look at yonder would- 
be settler,” he added in a whisper, and I glanced 
in the direction of his outstretched finger, where 
was Mr. Sampson, yawning and stretching as if 
struggling to gather his senses. “ Is it strange 
the painted brutes captured such as he with but 
little difficulty ? ” 

Paul was no such sluggard. He had risen at 
the same time I did, and now stood near the 
door on the alert for whatever might come his 
way. 

I could hear my mother moving about in the 
loft, and knew she would soon be down to cook 
breakfast, after which, as I understood the plan, 
we were to begin the journey. 


PAUL SAMPSON. 


79 

“ Have the savages left us ? ” I asked of the 
young scout. 

“ Ay, so it seems, though I’m not overly eager 
to believe it without better proof than that 
we’ve heard nothin’ from ’em since you went 
to sleep. Stand you here ready for anything 
that may turn up, an’ I’ll have a look round.” 

He unbarred the door as he spoke, and when 
he had stolen softly out I stood guard in his 
place, with Paul close by my side. 

Not until the morning meal had been cooked 
and was spread on the table did Simon Kenton 
return, and the news which he brought gave me 
a sense of deepest relief. 

“ The dose we gave ’em last night was enough,” 
he said, leaning his rifle against the side of the 
hut as he took a seat at the table without wait- 
ing for an invitation. “ Now is the time for us 
to start, for there’s no knowin’ how soon the 
brutes may take it into their ugly heads to come 
back.” 

“ Are we to leave all our belongings here ? ” 


80 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

I asked, looking around at tke scanty store of 
furniture, the greater portion of whick my 
father had made. 

“ Better them than your hair,” Simon Kenton 
replied. “ If the snakes come this way again 
they’ll make short work of the cabin an’ all 
that’s in it, whether you be here to make a show 
of defendin’ it or not. In case they stay away, 
the stuff will be safe where it is, if we take care 
to keep out the wild beasts.” 

There was a look of pain on my mother’s face 
which I knew had been caused by the thought 
of leaving behind her scanty goods ; but she 
gave no words to her sorrow, joining with the 
young scout in the conversation concerning the 
day’s tramp. 

AVhen the meal had been eaten, and mother 
tidied up the cabin a bit, we went out into the 
sunlight, closing door and window shutter be- 
hind us, as if counting on returning before night- 
fall. 

Simon Kenton took the lead, and then was 


PAUL SAMPSON. 


81 


begun the long march which did not end until 
late in the night. 

We made few halts, and then only for a few 
moments at a time. We ate as we walked, 
forcing our way through the dense underbrush, 
and ever on the alert against danger. 

Mr. Sampson more than once insisted that the 
pace was killing him ; he declared, when the 
day was half spent, that it would be impossible 
for him to walk half a mile farther ; but when 
Kenton quietly suggested that he might halt 
wheresoever he chose, and follow our trail the 
next morning, he came to the conclusion that per- 
haps he might keep his feet a short time longer. 

Paul was as cheery a companion as one could 
desire. Although he was foot-sore and weary, 
as I knew full well, not a word of complaint 
came from his lips, and before the day was 
ended I knew Simon Kenton had begun to love 
the lad even as I already did, for he whispered 
once when we were well in advance of the others : 

“ That boy is worth a dozen such men as his 
6 


82 ON THE KENTUCKY -FRONTIER. 

father. He has got true pluck, an’ I’ll warrant 
you wouldn’t hear him whine even when he’d 
fallen in his tracks worn out.” 

There is no reason why I need say how my 
mother bore her share of the fatigue. She was 
a brave, true woman, and when any task, how- 
ever great, was to be done, went at it with a 
will and in silence, or with cheery words. 

When, at a late hour in the evening, we were 
come opposite Corn Island, and had found one 
of Major Clarke’s force who was willing to ferry 
us across the river, I was more astounded than 
words can express, for it was as if I had sud- 
denly emerged from the wilderness to find 
myself in a populous town. 

No less than twenty families had come down 
with the volunteers, and were encamped to- 
gether, nearby where the men had their quar- 
ters. Counting men, women and children, 
there could not have been less than four hun- 
dred and fifty people, three times as many as I 
had ^ver before seen in one place, 


PAUL SAMPSON. 


83 


The greater portion of this gathering was 
asleep ; but I could well fancy what bustle and 
confusion there must be when all were moving 
about, and the mere idea bewildered me. 

Simon Kenton led us directly to the hut set 
apart for the use of Major Clarke, and there 
introduced us to the commander of the expedi- 
tioD, who bid us welcome in such a hearty fash- 
ion that even Mr. Sampson must have forgotten 
what he had said about “ accepting charity.” 

Mother was taken in charge by some of the 
women, and we four, meaning Simon Kenton, 
the Sampsons, father and son, and myself, were 
given the use of a lean-to made of brush — not a 
substantial shelter ; but to me, who had well- 
nigh come to an end of my endurance, it was 
most inviting. 

Even Kenton himself felt the effects of the 
long tramp ; and we indulged in no conversa- 
tion that night, each member of the party fall- 
ing asleep as soon as he was on the ground. 

Paul and I were early abroad next morning. 


84 ON THE KENTUCKY FEONTIER. 

To him there was no novelty in such a throng, 
for he told me solemnly that he had seen in 
Maryland many more people bent on merry- 
making than could be found on Corn Island, and 
I was forced to believe the lad, although it 
hardly seemed possible. 

As I have said, there were no less than twenty 
families who had come down with the major’s 
force to find homes in the wilderness, and, learn- 
ing in some way, I know not how, that I was 
the son of a settler, many of them gathered 
around to learn how we had fared on our clear- 
ing. 

There was more than one pale face among the 
women and younger children when I told of my 
father’s death, and I dare say but few would 
have remained to build homes nearabout the 
Ohio Eiver if it had been possible for them to 
get back to the settlement they had just left. 

Mr. Sampson appeared like a different man 
now that he was with a throng of people. He 
no longer seemed to think it necessary he 


PAUL SAMPSON. 


85 


should return to Maryland, where a wife and 
two children awaited his coming ; but declared 
that he would join his fortunes with those who 
counted on building up a village on the frontier. 

Paul kept close by my side as I talked with the 
men concerning the expedition on which Major 
Clarke was to lead them, and when, late on 
that first day in camp, I told him of my inten- 
tion to join the force as a volunteer, he declared 
that nothing would please him better than to 
be my comrade. 

“ If my father is willing, I shall go,” he said 
quietly ; but in a tone which told me that he 
was one with a will of his own, and not likely 
to be led by the nose against his own desire or 
inclination. 

At the first opportunity I sought out Simon 
Kenton to tell him of Paul’s plans, and the 
young scout said heartily : 

‘‘ I like the lad, and will be glad to have him 
with us, although for a time he may cost us some 
trouble.” 


86 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

“ He is quick to learn, I fancy, and by observ- 
ing those around him, will soon be able to get 
about in a proper fashion,” I replied confidently, 
whereupon the scout surprised me by saying : 

There will be none save you an’ me for him 
to see.” 

“ What then will have become of all this 
gathering ? ” I asked in astonishment. 

“ They will be far behind us, lad. Was it in 
your mind that I would march in line like a 
soldier ? ” 

“ What else can you do ? ” 

Remain in advance to make certain no dan- 
ger threatens. You and I will act as scouts ; I 
reckon there may be others, but I have been 
hired to conduct all this party, first to the 
British outpost at Kaskaskia, and then to 
Gahokia.” . 

'‘You alone?” I cried^ overwhelmed to 
learu that this young fellow was of so much 
importauae. in jthe eyes of a soldier like Major 
Clarke. 


PAUL SAMPSON. 87 

“ Not alone, for I count on takin’ one Louis 
Nelson with me, an’ he has it in mind that Paul 
Sampson will make the third.” 

“ But I am far too ignorant to share such an 
important duty ! ” 

“ The lad who is willin’ to face a gang of 
painted wolves such as besieged your cabin, and 
to do so almost single-handed, gives promise of 
bein’ a comrade to my likin’. We’ll lead the 
men, Louis, an’ I dare venture to say there’ll 
be no ambush we shan’t scent out before the 
murderin’ redskins succeed in doing any mis- 
chief.” 

“ And are you willing to take Paul Samp- 
son ? ” I asked, still in a maze of bewilderment. 

“ Aye, that I am, an’ venture to say he’ll turn 
out to be your equal after a little experience.” 

I could hardly contain myself for joy at the 
thought that mine was to be a man’s work ; but 
ran off at full speed to make my mother ac- 
quainted with what I believed was rare good 
fortune. 


88 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

She, kind soul, was saddened because such an 
opportunity had presented itself to me, and al- 
though she spoke not a word against the enter- 
prise, 1 understood what was in her heart, and 
said quickly, even though it cost me a pang to 
utter the words : 

“You are not pleased, mother, and I had 
thought it would make you glad because Simon 
Kenton had so much of faith in me. I will tell 
him I cannot go, and you may forget I have 
spoken of it.” 

The tears were very near her eyelids as she 
drew me closer and said softly, hardly daring to 
trust her voice : 

“ I would not keep you, my son, even though 
the parting give me great pain. On the frontier 
boys must speedily learn to be men, and it may 
be best for you to go. Perhaps we will join 
these settlers who intend to build up a town 
nearby, when you come back covered with 
glory.” 

“Now you are making sport of me, mother,” 


PATJL Sampson. 


89 


I replied reproachfully. ‘‘ There is no glory to 
be gained in fighting savages.” 

‘‘To my mind you gained very much, Louis, 
when you ventured your life to save Mr. Samp- 
son and Paul.” 

I was at a loss to understand exactly what 
she meant, nor did I try very hard, for the look 
of pain was gone from her face, and I wanted 
to repeat the good news to Paul. 

I found him on the shore of the island, gaz- 
ing across the water as if he saw in the muddy 
stream some wonderful vision, and instead of 
being surprised or elated when I told what 
proud position we were to occupy in the expedi- 
tion, he said with a sigh : 

“It is enough if I am to be wdth you, 
Louis.” 

“And your father? Will he give his con- 
sent ? ” 

“ He is laying plans for the new settlement 
which is to be made, and when I told him it 
would give me pleasure to go with you and 


90 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

Simon Kenton, lie said he had other things of 
which to think.” 

“ Does that mean you are free to go ? ” 

“ Now that he has companions there will be 
no thought of me. We will go, Louis ; but do 
you think we will come back ? ” 

The question almost frightened me. I had 
thought only of being a scout for such a brave 
party as was here encamped, and had given no 
heed to the possible danger which awaited us, 
until reminded of it by Paul’s words. 


DOWN THE OHIO. 


91 


CHAPTER V. 

DOWN THE OHIO. 

Paul’s question as to whether we would ever 
come back caused me to be attacked by timor- 
ousness, the first sensation of the kind I had ex- 
perienced since the venture was proposed. 

Now the matter had been brought home to 
me in such an innocent way, P began to realize 
all that this journey might mean. I had not 
spent my life on the frontier without having 
heard of Major Clarke, and knew full well he 
would not turn his back because of danger ; in 
fact, should he chance to lead his men into a 
place where their lives were imperiled, the ma- 
jor’s first thought would be as to how he might 
get the best of the foe — not as to how he and 
his following could escape. 


92 ON THE KENTUOKY FRONTIER. 

In addition to this, only a single glance was 
needed to show that the work would be hot, 
once the force had come within striking 
distance of the enemy. Major Clarke had en- 
listed none save old frontiersmen, each one of 
whom had battled for his life against the 
painted wolves a dozen times over, and I ques- 
tion if there was a man in the forest who had 
not some private wrongs to avenge upon both 
savages and Britishers. 

Knowing all this, one need be a simple who 
did not understand how sharp would be the 
efforts to strike a telling blow once the com- 
pany was in the vicinity of the' enemy, whether 
that enemy was a red-coated soldier, or a half- 
naked, feather-bedecked brute such as had lived 
a life of murdering and plundering since the 
first day the white men came into that section 
of the country. 

And Paul and I were to act, as best we might, 
the part of scouts in advance of such a force as 
was this which followed Major Clarke ! We 


DOWN THE OHIO. 93 

who, because of our ignorance, should have re- 
mained in the rear, would lead the way, taking 
perforce the hottest of the fights because of be- 
ing the first to encounter the foe. 

It is little wonder that I was overwhelmed 
with timorousness on realizing for the first time 
what I had taken upon myself ; but Paul, who 
never dreamed of all we might seek out, re- 
mained calm and placid as if ours was to be the 
most innocent of pleasure excursions. 

The lad was surprised at finding me silent 
when he had done no more than repeat what I 
had said to him a dozen times over, and asked 
solicitously if I was ill. 

It would have been little more than the truth 
had I told him I was sick with fear ; but such 
words would have shamed me, and I held my 
peace, allowing him to believe that I who had 
never known a day’s sickness, had suddenly 
been overcome in some womanish fashion. 

It was Simon Kenton who broke in upon our 
not overly pleasant conversation, by saying 


94 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

gleefully, as one might who had just come into 
some good fortune. 

“ If you lads have settled all your business, 
we’ll be off ’twixt now an’ sunset, for I’m count- 
in’ on gettin’ a good view of the river before we 
make a halt.” 

Are the men ready to move ? ” I asked in 
surprise. 

“ They will follow twenty-four hours later, 
provided we learn of nothin’ to prevent 
the movement. It’s our task to spy out 
the land, an’ we’re bound to keep well in 
advance.” 

I glanced quickly at Paul in order to see how 
the news affected him ; but not so much as a 
tremor of the eyelids followed this information. 
Perhaps if he had known all the danger as well 
as did I, he might have presented a different 
appearance. 

It would have been shameful had I shown 
fear when this lad who kneAV nothing of life on 
the frontier remained unmoved, and I stiffened 


DOWN THE OHIO. 


95 


my lip as best I might, resolved that neither he 
nor Simon Kenton should guess of that which 
was in my heart. 

Not only did the scout intend to set forth on 
this day ; but I understood from his movements 
that he was eager to begin the work as soon as 
possible, despite the fact of his having spoken 
as if an hour earlier or later could make no dif- 
ference to him, and I said with so much of 
calmness as might be forced into my voice : 

If it so be you are minded to go at once, I 
can make ready within five minutes.” 

‘‘It would please me to be rid of this place. 
A crowd of people is not to my likin’ an’ by 
settin’ out now there will be no call for any 
great haste, whereas the same cannot be said in 
case we are but a few hours ahead of the vol- 
unteers.” 

“ I wish only to have a word with my 
mother, and then we cannot leave the island too 
soon to please me,” I replied, and added on ob- 
serving in Paul’s face what I fancied was a 


96 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

wistful look, as if he was saying to himself that 
it would be a consolation to have some one bid 
him God speed, “ will you come with me, 
lad ? I dare venture to say she will treat us 
both alike.” 

He sprang forward eagerly, with the moisture 
of a coming tear in his eyes, and we went to- 
ward that portion of the encampment where 
were the women, all of whom found ample 
occupation in cooking for the volunteers. 

Perhaps it is as well if I set down nothing 
regarding the parting with my mother ; it was 
painful to me, and cannot deeply interest any 
who reads these lines, if peradventure they 
really have a reader. 

It is enough if I say that both us lads, for she 
gave Paul the same show of affection as was 
bestowed upon me, promised to be as careful of 
our lives as one could who had set about such 
Avork as ours might prove, and in less than 
half an hour from the moment Simon Kenton 
announced his intention of leaving the island, 


DOWN THE OHIO. 


97 


we were standing by tlie water’s edge awaiting 
his commands. 

The young scout did not delay once we were 
ready. A canoe such as is known by the name 
of “ dugout/’ was moored to a tree, and in her 
had been loaded our scanty outfit. 

A supply of ammunition, pepper, salt, a few 
potatoes and three loaves of corn bread made 
up the list of our belongings such as we could 
not carry in the pockets of our hunting shirts. 
As a matter of course each had a knife and a 
rifle, which last would serve to provide us with 
more food, and we really needed nothing else. 

Paul had made an attempt to speak with his 
father before leaving •; but Mr. Sampson was so 
deeply engaged in laying plans for the future 
village which was to spring up on the banks of 
the Ohio, that he had no time to spend on his 
son. 

Major Clarke was the only member of all 
that company who knew we were to set out at 

this time, and he remained in close conversation 
7 


98 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

with Simon Kenton a good half hour after 
Paul and I had taken our places in the dugout. 
Then, seeing that the scout was eager to be off, 
he stepped back, saying to us lads : 

“ See to it that you follow closely the in- 
structions given by Kenton ; your lives may 
depend upon obedience, for the work you 
have undertaken is in the highest degree dan- 
gerous.” 

He might have spared himself that much 
breath, so far as I was concerned, for there was 
in my mind a very good idea of the perils we 
would be called upon to face, and I had little 
relish for such a reminder, because my courage 
at this moment was none of the best. 

“ So long as we remain in advance you may 
count on it that there is nothin’ to fear,” Kenton 
said as he unmoored the boat and sent her 
moving out into the current with a single stroke 
of the paddle. ‘‘We shall give you fair warnin’ 
if we come across anything worth knowin’, un- 
less -r-P 


LofC. 


DOWN THE OHIO. 


99 


He did not finish the sentence ; but I knew 
full well hoAV to conclude it. “ Unless we aie 
taken by surprise and all killed/’ is what he 
would have said but for the fear of alarming 
Paul and me. 

Before we were half a mile from the island I 
came to realize that I was playing the part of a 
fool by allowing my mind to dwell upon the 
possibilities of the future, and, forcing thought 
into a different channel, I began to speak of the 
village which it was proposed to build on the 
bank of the river, little dreaming that it would 
one day be a great city known as Louisville, as 
if named for me. 

During ten minutes or more, not a word was 
spoken, and then as if talking to himself, Ken- 
ton said : 

‘‘ The volunteers will set out sometime 
to-morrow, an’ should move along as fast as we 
can.” 

“ Are all the men coming down the, river ? ” 
Paul said : 


100 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

“ Some will be left behind to look after the 
women and children ; but the remainder are to 
set olf in the flat boats that were moored at the 
other side of the island.” 

“ If they are to come in boats, I do not un- 
derstand why we push on ahead,” I said stu- 
pidly, whereupon Kenton replied : 

“ It’s our business to know if the painted 
snakes are nearabout the river in any great 
force.” 

“And how may we learn that, unless we 
tramp along the shore ? ” 

“ The chances are that the snakes would Are 
at us, not countin’ on the main force bein’ so 
near.” 

“ In which case we should gain the informa- 
tion by being shot — perhaps killed.” 

“ I reckon one of us would come out alive, an’ 
he could get back to give the news,” Kenton 
said quietly, as if the possibility of our losing 
our lives was as nothing so long as the volun- 
teers were warned. “ But there’s a good chance 


DOWN THE OHIO. 


101 


we’d all slip througli without a scratch, even 
though the reptiles had gathered in full force, 
for they’re not the best marksmen to be found 
hereabout, an’ by keepin’ well in the middle of 
the stream it should be safe sailin’. Now I’m 
thinkin’ we’d better keep our tongues quiet, and 
set our eyes at work, else there’s a show of slip- 
pin’ by what we’ve been sent to find. If you 
see the least suspicious looking thing, sing out, 
and we’ll know what it means before goin’ any 
further.” 

Paul listened to these words as if they had 
no especial concern for him, and I was near to 
being vexed with the lad because of his seem- 
ing indifierence when life was in danger ; but 
checked myself with the thought that he would 
put on a different look if he fully understood 
the situation. 

By this time Simon Kenton was keeping his 
eyes at work as he labored at the paddle, refus- 
ing my proffer of assistance, and I question if a 
single bent twig or broken bough escaped his 


102 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

notice. It was as if he saw both sides of the 
riv^er at the same instant, listening as eagerly as 
he gazed, and it can be fancied that I did not 
dare attempt anything in the way of conversa- 
tion. 

It is needless for me to explain at length in 
what fashion we rounded this point, or skirted 
that cove half hidden by the overhanging foli- 
age, for all know full well how voyagers on the 
Ohio in the days of the revolution guarded 
against ambush or sudden attack. 

To my mind we might as well have remained 
with the volunteers during this portion of the 
journey, for in case we came upon any consider- 
able body of savages there was little chance 
either of us would succeed in carrying back the 
news to those who virtually placed their lives in 
our keeping. 

We had been sailing three hours or more ; the 
sun was low in the heavens, and the shadows 
were already so dense on the western bank that 
a hundred painted brutes might have been con- 



Within five seconds I had fired, using the curl of vapor for a target.— Page 103. 

On the Kentucky Frontier, 




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DOWN THE OHIO. 


103 


cealed beneath the low hanging branches with- 
out our being any the wiser. 

To me it seemed foolish to continue on any 
further, if our only purpose was to scan both 
sides of the river carefully, and I was on the 
point of saying as much to Kenton when a tiny 
pulf of smoke darted out from amid the foliage 
to the right of us, hardly more than fifty yards 
away ; a sharp report like unto the crack of a 
whip could be heard, while the splinters fiew 
from the paddle in the scout’s hand. 

It goes without saying that I was startled ; 
but not to such an extent as to deprive me of 
my wits. 

I knew full well none but a savage would 
have fired at us, and the knowledge that the 
villainous enemy was so near served to make 
me forget the fear which had beset me a short 
time previous. 

Within five seconds from the instant the tiny 
puff of smoke darted out like the tongue of a 
snake, I had fired, using the curl of vapor for a 


104 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 
target, and Simon Kenton said approvingly, but 
with no trace of excitement in his tone : 

‘‘ That was well done ! A lad who is so quick 
with a shot should not be taken at a disadvan- 
tage, whatever turns up.” 

He had forced the bow of the dugout from 
the shore even before I fired, and, bending low, 
was paddling wdth all his strength as if the one 
idea of escape was all that occupied his mind. 

Paul had neither spoken nor moved ; at the 
moment his back was toward me, a fact which I 
regretted because 1 could not see his face to 
learn if he changed color. 

We were no more than in mid-stream before 
a second shot was heard, this time coming from 
a point lower down the river ; but the bullet 
fiew harmlessly over our heads. 

I made no effort to return the shot, for the 
very good reason that there was no chance I 
could do any execution at such a distance, even 
though he who had fired remained motionless, 
which was hardly to be expected. 


DOWN THE OHIO. 


105 


Kenton pulled around the next bend, hugging 
the eastern sliore closely, and when we were 
come to a small creek he forced the canoe up the 
tiny water course until it was completely hidden 
by the foliage. 

“We might have gone on without fear,” I 
said in a whisper, surprised by this manoeuver. 
“We were traveling faster than the savages 
could walk, and might easily have outstripped 
them.” 

“ Which isexa ctly what we don’t count on 
doin’,” he said quietly, speaking in an ordinary 
tone, and thus showing he had no thought of 
danger while we remained on this side the 
river. 

“ Why not ? ” Paul asked mildly. 

“ Because it’s our business to know how many 
of the reptiles are on yonder bank.” 

“ But how will you find out ? ” 

“ Go back there, an’ have a look at ’em. In 
less than an hour we can do the trick in fine 
style.” 


106 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

Paul and I looked at each other in mingled 
fear and amazement while one might have 
counted ten, and then I turned my eyes away, 
understanding by this time that to gather such 
information was the only reason why we had 
come down the river ahead of the volunteers. 

Kenton sat like a statue in the center of the 
canoe, we lads being at either end, and it seemed 
to me as if a full hour passed before a word was 
spoken. 

Then the night was so near upon us that, save 
directly in the middle of the river, it was 
impossible to distinguish objects twenty paces 
distant. 

“ I reckon we may as well get to work,” and 
Kenton cautiously forced the canoe out from 
amid the tangle of foliage until the current 
carried her down jgtream. 

He did not use the paddle ^ave to keep her 
from running afoul of dry brush or logs on the 
bank, and we had drifted two miles, perhaps, 
when he suddenly bent to his work, sending the 


DOWN THE OHIO. 10? 

light craft across the river at a speed I had never 
before seen equaled, even by my father. 

I fully expected to hear the report of a rifle, 
or feel the sting of a bullet when we were in the 
middle of the stream where a sharp-eyed savage 
might see us ; but nothing occurred to check 
our progress, and in a marvelously short space 
of time we were once more screened from view ; 
but now on the same side of the river where we 
knew the painted snakes lurked. 

“You are to stay in the dugout,” Simon Ken- 
ton whispered to me as he raised his rifle. “ If 
it so chances that I m not back here by sunrise, 
you must work your way up stream to warn 
Major Clarke.” 

Had he given me the opportunity I should 
have urged that he take us with him, or wait 
till near morning before undertaking so dan- 
gerous a venture ; but the words had no more 
than been spoken when he was gone. 

At one instant he was speaking with me, and 
at the next he had vanished as completely and 


108 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

silently as if the waters had covered him. Ko 
Indian who ever lived could have equaled him 
in swiftness and noiselessness. 

Paul was mystified when he turned and failed 
to see Kenton, and I felt forced to explain in 
whispers what had happened, else I believe of 
a verity the lad would have cried out in his 
bewilderment. 

It is not possible for those who have always 
lived in large settlements or towns to realize the 
desolateness of such a position as was ours while 
we waited for the return of the scout. 

He had ventured into the forest where we 
knew to a certainty were bloodthirsty enemies, 
and that he realized all the ^possibilities had been 
shown by the order for us to work our way up- 
stream to warn the on-coming boats, in case he 
failed to return by sunrise. 

My heart was almost in my mouth as I sat 
there holding Paul’s hand, starting at the light- 
est sound, and hearing even in the rippling of 
the water some token of the savages. My 


DOWN THE OHIO. 


109 


tongue was parched ; I could not have uttered 
a single word had it been necessary to speak, 
and only with the greatest difficulty did I pre- 
vent my hand from trembling, thus exposing to 
my companion that I was wofully afraid. 

When perhaps an hour had passed it seemed 
to me as if we had been there a full might, and 
then came that sound which I had at the same 
time been expecting and fearing to hear. 

From the distance, half a mile away,- I 
guessed, came the crack of a rifle ; then another 
and another, and after that the same deathly 
silence as before. 

“ Think you any harm has come to him ? ” 
Paul whispered tremulously, and I replied as I 
believed truly : 

“ Not unless he met with an accident before 
that first shot was fired. If there had been a 
large number of savages nearabout, he would 
have used every effort to return without loss of 
time, that we might go to warn the volun- 
teers. There may have been only a few, with. 


110 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

perhaps, a captive, and lie has attempted a 
rescue.” 

I was heartened by my own words, which 
sounded plausible, and remained on the alert 
ten minutes or more, expecting each instant to 
see Kenton appear as silently as he had van- 
ished. 

When that length of time had elapsed, how- 
ever, and he yet remained absent, fear crept 
over me, and I imagined the worst. 

After half an hour went b}^, and 1 kept note 
of time by counting, there was no longer any 
hope in my heart. 

After firing a shot Kenton would, had he 
been able, come back to us at once ; for even 
though he had not learned all which seemed 
necessary, he must have understood that he 
would no longer be able to spy upon the foe. 

I tried to decide what should be done ; but 
my brain was in a whirl. I could hardly have 
defended myself if one of the painted brutes 
had shown himself close at hand. 


DOWN THE OHIO. HI 

It was Paul wlio aroused me from what was 
little less than the stupefaction of despair, by 
whispering in my ear : 

“ He did not say that we should go up the 
rivey until sunrise. Why may it not be possible 
for us to help him ? ” 

I shook my head, believing it was too late 
for us to effect anything in his behalf ; but the 
suggestion, coming from a lad who was ignorant 
of all this wretched business, awakened me to a 
realization of my own folly. 

I am the one to go,” 1 said decidedly 
‘‘ You shall stay here, in case he comes back.” 

“ By so doing I could be of no assistance. 
We will go together.” 

Even now I fail to understand why my wits 
had so completely deserted me. I had no 
thought of what might be the result if we two 
made off into the forest in the darkness ; but 
before we met Simon Kenton again I realized 
my folly most keenly. 

W^ithout trying to persuade him to remain, 


112 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

as I should have done even in my foolishness, I 
whispered : 

“ You must move softly and keep close be- 
hind me, lest we be separated in the thicket 
where it might mean death to cry out. Follow 
my every motion, for 1 shall take the lead.” 

He grasped his rifle in a manner which told 
he at least was no coward, and clutched my 
hunting shirt to make certain of obeying the 
command I had given. 

I stepped over the side of the canoe into the 
water ; but not as silently as Simon Kenton 
had done, and we two waded ashore with no 
heed as to where this rash move was likely to 
lead us. 

Ashamed though I am to confess it, I took no 
heed as to the location of the boat we were 
leaving — made no attempt to seek out what 
would serve as a guide when we returned, if in 
deed we ever did ; but had only in mind the 
idea of proceeding up-stream toward where the 
reports of the weapons had come from. 


DOWN THE OHIO. 113 

And into the blackness of the forest we 
plunged, I claiming to be better versed in 
woodcraft than my companion, yet doing that 
which the most ignorant townsman would never 
have dreamed of attempting. 

It was the act of a fool, and I was to receive 

the punishment due my folly. 

8 


114 


ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 


CHAPTER VI. 

ASTRAY. 

It seemed to me that the noise of the fire- 
arms had come from a point about half a mile 
from the shore, and less than a third of this 
distance up-stream, therefore I bent my way in 
that direction, heeding nothing save the terrible 
fear that Simon Kenton had been taken pris- 
oner, or killed outright. 

Could I have learned that he was dead my 
heart might have been somewhat lighter, for I 
knew full well how terrible would be the tor- 
ture infiicted upon him once the savages under- 
stood who he was. 

In such case, Paul and I were bound to carry 
the sad news back to the volunteers without 
delay ; but while there was a chance of our be- 
ing able to give him succor, I held that it was 


ASTRAY. 


115 


our duty to make every effort in such direc- 
tion. 

When I was older grown, and had seen more 
of warfare, I came to understand that the life 
of one man counts for but little when compared 
with the general good, and had such fact been 
impressed upon my mind at this time, I would 
never have set out on the foolhardy errand 
which bid fair to lead Paul Sampson and me to 
our death. 

The lad whom Simon Kenton and I had saved 
from the stake was an apt pupil, as he showed 
on this night when he followed close in my foot- 
steps, betraying no signs of fear when he might 
well have been excused for betraying timorous- 
ness, and moving with the utmost caution. 

It is not for me to say that we advanced as 
silently as the young scout could have done ; 
but I was satisfied that we were not moving in 
a clumsy fashion, and began to feel a certain 
pride in thus shovrfng Paul how we of the frontier 
foll^^ved on the trail of our enemies, 


116 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

During perhaps half an hour we two went 
steadily but cautiously forward, and then it 
seemed to me as if we should have arrived at 
the spot from which the shots had come. 

I halted and listened intently. Not a sound 
could be heard save the soughing of the wind 
among the foliage, or the countless faint noises 
of the night which tell of life when the world 
is supposed to be sleeping. 

For the first time a sense of distrust in my 
own ability found lodgment in my mind. It 
seemed positive ^ve had either traveled in the 
wrong direction, or the savages had left the 
vicinity where the encounter had taken place. 
Surely we ought to have come across Kenton, 
unless . he made a wider detour than at first 
seemed probable, or, as I feared, had been taken 
prisoners. 

..A certain numbness as of despair took pcs 
session of me ; I pressed forward wi^ less heed 
than before to the direction I was taking, and 
again stood, still to listen. 


ASTRAY. 117 

When we made this second halt I believed 
we were no less than two miles from where the 
canoe lay, and it was positive the enemy had 
not been so far away when the weapons were 
discharged. 

Paul pressed my arm in token that he want- 
ed to say something ; but I clapped my hand 
over his mouth. The fact that I had made a most 
grievous mistake was beginning to find lodgment 
in my dull brain, and a nervous fear was creep- 
ing over me. 

The thought that he, a lad from the east who 
knew nothing of woodcraft, had good reason 
to distrust my ability, angered me, and like a 
fool I advanced once more, this time at right 
angles with the course we had been pursuing, 
even though I should have known that such 
traveling at random was not calculated to pro- 
duce the desired results. 

When we had forced our way through the 
underbrush for a distance of perhaps another 
mile, we were halted by a swamp. 


118 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

It was not possible that either the Indians or 
Simon Kenton had attempted to cross such a 
place where one must flounder around wdth 
noise enough to proclaim his every movement, 
and I leaned against the trunk of a tree fully 
realizing all the mischief I had wrought. 

Again Paul gave token of wishing to speak, 
and I no longer attempted to check him. 

“ It we are to hunt for Kenton, or count on 
learning what has become of him, would it not 
be better that we went back to the canoe, and 
waited for the coming of day ? ” 

“ Then it is our duty to push up stream to 
warn the volunteers,” I replied moodily. 

“We cannot hope to find him while it is 
dark, and it may be that we shall lose our way,” 
he suggested mildly, whereupon, and without 
reason, I turned upon him angrily. 

“ We have lost it already ! ” 

“Can you not retrace your steps to the 
river?” he asked mildly, and without show of 
fear. 


astray. 


m 

We stould be able to strike tbe stream ; 
but, having done so, I could not say whether we 
were above or below the canoe, and we might 
travel for hours in the wrong; direction.” 

“We would be able to learn our course by 
the current, and if it be not possible to find the 
boat, then must we go up the river to warn the 
volunteers.” 

“ And leave Simon Kenton in the hands of 
the savage brutes ? ” I asked angrily, grown un- 
reasoning in my nervous fears and the knowl- 
edge that I had made a fool of myself. 

“We are not leaving Kenton, because we 
have never found him, and since, as seems true, 
we only wander about aimlessly, would it not 
be wisest to think of the others, who rely upon 
us to point out the danger which may await 
them ? ” 

Paul Sampson was speaking like a sensible 
lad, and I realized it fully. He, the boy igno- 
rant of woodcraft, should have been the leader, 
and I wished most devoutly I had consulted 


120 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

with him before setting out on this wild-goose 

chase. 

While one might have counted twenty I 
stood unwilling to acknowledge my helpless- 
ness, and then something like a gleam of com- 
mon sense came into my mind. I stood ready, 
to confess that I had acted like a simple, and 
he must have understood something of the 
truth, when 1 said : 

“ It shall be as you propose, Paul, and we’ll 
make for the river ; but this time I am not 
counting on taking the lead, having already 
shown that I have no right to direct our move- 
ments.” 

“ If you despair like this, then are we lost 
indeed,” he said mildly. “ Remember that I 
know nothing whatever of such work. Go on 
as before, using your best efforts to lead us to 
the river. Then we should aim to meet the 
volunteers, so it seems to me, forgetting poor 
Kenton because of the many others who need 
to know exactly what has happened here.” 


ASTRAY. 


121 


Without attempting an argument, even had I 
been able to find one which would warrant our 
traveling to and fro as we had done, I acted 
upon his suggestion. 

Either we had traveled in a southerly direc- 
tion to where the river took a sharp bend, or 
were much deeper in the forest than had at first 
seemed possible to me, for a full hour was spent 
making our way through the tangled under- 
brush, now slowly because of the necessity for 
silence, and again pressing forward as rapidly 
as we deemed safe, and not until such a length 
of time had elapsed did we come to the bank 
of the stream. 

That I had allowed myself to be completely 
turned around was proven by the current of the 
river, for without such evidence I would have 
gone toward the south, believing I was making 
my way northward. 

The canoe must be above us,” Paul said as 
we halted, “ and by following the shore it should 
be possible to come upon it.” 


122 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

This seemed no more than reasonable, and 
hope once more filled my heart as I led the way 
along the bank, now moving with greater cau- 
tion because it was more probable we might 
come upon the enemy. 

One place looked much like another in the 
darkness, and yet before midnight we arrived 
at a spot where I firmly believed the dugout 
had been left. 

Paul was of the same opinion, even going so 
far as to declare that he had noted on coming 
ashore the gum tree which we were standing 
near while holding the consultation. 

I was disposed to believe as he did, but yet 
the fact that the canoe could not be found 
caused me to think both of us were mistaken. 

“ Surely this can’t be the place,” I argued, 
“ for none save Simon Kenton could have come 
upon the canoe in the darkness, and, on failing 
to find us, he would wait a certain time for our 
return.” 

“ You can’t say that positively,” Paul replied, 


ASTRAY. 


123 

“ for the scout realizes that the safety of the 
volunteers depends upon him in a measure, and 
would count our lives as of but little value 
compared with so many as are coming down the 
river.” 

“ Then you think he has been here and gone 
away in the boat ? ” I asked. 

“ That I do, for the gum tree is as familiar to 
my eyes as anything can be on so dark a night 
as this.” 

I was overcome by the possibility. If what 
Paul declared with such assurance was true, 
then were we two lads left alone upon the 
banks of the river amid a savage foe, to make 
our way back to Corn Island, or, what would 
be a far more difficult and dangerous task, to con- 
tinue on to the mouth of the Tennessee Eiver. 

By going back we should proclaim the fact 
of my folly, and prove me to be a lad whose 
ignorance was near to crime ; while to advance 
seemed little less than the sacrifice of our own 
lives. 


124 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

Somewliat of this I said to Paul, and he re- 
plied like the true-hearted, brave lad he was : 

“ It is better to acknowledge one’s ignorance 
than try to purchase secrecy at the expense 
of life. If we have made a mistake, why not 
admit it ? ” 

I, who had plumed myself upon the fact that 
Simon Kenton was willing to take me with him 
as a scout, felt that almost anything was better 
than returning, and yet I knew it was my duty 
to push on up the stream to warn those who 
were descending, because we were not yet 
positive that the scout had taken away the boat. 

Kenton might be a prisoner in the hands of 
the savages, and in such case it was of the 
utmost importance Major Clarke and his volun- 
teers should know the facts. 

Not without a severe mental struggle did I 
decide to smother my pride and follow Paul’s 
advice ; but once having settled upon a course 
of action, I was eager to pursue it. 

Prudence dictated that we should wait until 


ASTRAY, 


1^5 


daybreak ; but I believe of a verity it would 
have made me wild to remain in that spot in- 
active, thinking only of my folly, and now, as 
when we left the canoe, I pressed on with but 
one idea in mind ; but, fortunately, yet retain- 
ing so much of common sense as to understand 
that we must be on the alert to gain such in- 
formation as was possible during the journey. 

The further we continued on up the river, the 
more firmly did 1 become convinced that our 
last halting place was at the spot where the 
canoe had been left, for we saw no other such 
familiar indentation on the shore, and now the 
important question in my mind was as to whether 
Simon Kenton had embarked in the dugout, or 
if the Indians had carried her away. This last 
proposition appeared to me so improbable that 
I hardly gave it a place in my thoughts. 

On, on, we went, traveling at the rate of no 
more than two miles an hour, because of being 
forced to move silently and at the same time 
carrying out the plan of learning if there might 


126 ON l-HIl KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

be enemies in the vicinity, and it was nearabout 
daybreak when, as I believed, we had been ad- 
vancing for no less than three hours, our progress 
was checked as we came suddenly upon a party 
of savages, the greater number of whom were 
asleep. 

It was accident,, rather than wisdom, which 
prevented our tumbling directly in upon them, 
and thereby insuring our own captivity or 
death. 

1 was in the lead, as Paul had insisted should 
be the case, and my thoughts were occupied 
with speculations concerning Simon Kenton 
rather than the work which lay before me, when 
a noise as of some one snoring arrested my foot- 
steps. 

I had come to a halt within a dozen paces of 
the savages, and could see, where the underbrush 
was thinnest, the form of a feather-bedecked 
brute leaning against a tree evidently on guard. 

A dozen steps more and we had been directly 
upon them. 


ASTRAY. 


127 


Turning quickly, I clasped my hand over 
Pauls mouth, lest he should speak, although the 
lad had shown himself to be a better frontiers- 
man than I, and this movement of mine told 
him of the danger so near at hand. 

During twenty seconds, perhaps, we two stood 
peering into the gloom, able only to learn that 
there could not be less than twenty Indians here 
encamped, and then silently as shadows, for oiir 
lives depended upon the movement, we turned 
about, retracing our steps until thirty yards or 
more lay between us and the sleeping mur- 
derers. 

Then I whispered in my comrade’s ear : 

“ We must make a detour here lest those 
brutes come to know of our whereabouts, so keep 
well in mind the direction of the river.” 

“Do you count on going forward without 
learning if Simon Kenton may be among the 
savages ? ” he asked, and a flood of shame came 
over me as I thus realized that my own danger 
had caused me to forget the scout at a time 


128 ON THE KENTUCKY FEONTIER. 

j when his possible fate should have been upper- 
most in mind. 

Of a verity Paul Sampson ought to have been 
the leader, and I his humble follower. 

So abased was I by his thoughtfulness and 
my own stupidity, that I would have suggested 
he reconnoiter the camp, but an instant later, 
realizing that such dangerous work should be 
performed by me if for no other reason than that 
I might atone for my past folly, I whispered : 

Stay here, while I go forward.” 

“ Why should I not follow ? If it so be 
Kenton is not there, w^e may continue on, and 
thus save the time you would spend in returning 
to find me.” 

Again he was right, and again was I stupid. 

Well, we did as he suggested, and no lad on 
the frontier could have done better work than 
this same Paul, who was so lately come from 
the east. 

Skirting around the sleeping scoundrels so 
silently that the quick-eared watchers failed to 


ASTRAY. 


129 


take alarm, we got such view of the brutes as 
could be had in the darkness, and when half an 
hour or more was spent in the work, I could say 
of a truth that Simon Kenton had not been made 
prisoner by this band. 

It was a great relief of mind, and yet only 
served to increase my shame, for now did I be- 
gin to believe that the scout had taken away the 
canoe, going up the river, or down, as might 
seem to him best, regardless of us two who 
had committed such a fault as was ours. 

The gray light was filtering through the foli- 
age when we were clear of the foe and could 
with some degree of safety continue the journey. 

I pushed on at a swift pace that we might 
put the greatest possible distance between them 
and us before the day should have fully come; 
and the sun was rising when we halted for a 
breathing spell. 

Now I found that Paul had much the same 
idea as I regarding Kenton’s whereabouts, save 

that he contended the scout had continued on 

9 


130 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

down the river, believing a band of twenty 
would hardly attempt to lay an ambush for 
three or four boats heavily laden with armed 
men. 

“ A party like that might do great mischief 
firing upon the boats from the thicket,” I said, 
“ and if Simon Kenton saw them, I make cer- 
tain he has gone back. If not, we may gain 
some little credit, although hardly enough to 
counterbalance the shame, by returning.” 

We knew the volunteers would begin the 
journey as soon as day broke, therefore within 
an hour, if we traveled at our best pace, it 
should be possible to hail the foremost craft. 

The Indians might also move in the same 
direction, therefore it stood us in hand to ad- 
vance as rapidly as possible, and I led the way 
once more at my best pace. 

Lest it may seem that I set down too much 
concerning what we did, and too little regard- 
ing the brave men who were about to risk their 
lives in order that the settlers on the frontier 


ASTRAY. 


131 


might be more safe, this account shall be cut 
short with no further mention of ourselves until 
we saw, far in the distance, the first of the flat- 
boats. 

Making our way with all speed to the outer- 
most portion of the point on which we were 
standing at the moment, we waved our arms 
vigorously, not daring to shout, and the craft 
was yet a quarter of a mile away when we saw 
by the commotion aboard that our signals had 
been seen and understood. 

Then two men set out in a canoe, paddling 
in advance of the unwieldy flat-boat in order 
that there might be no necessity of her round- 
ing-to, and within a comparatively short time 
we were ferried out to the larger craft, on which 
was Major Clarke, eager to learn why we were 
returning. 

I had no desire to shield myself, although 
knowing full well that in the minds of such men 
as listened to the story I had committed almost 
a crime in deserting the canoe while Simon Ken- 


132 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

ton was ashore. The entire tale was told with- 
out reserve, and then was^ I gladdened by the 
major’s words: 

“ It may be fortunate that you acted the part 
of a foolish lad, for certain it is that Simon 
Kenton would not have disregarded such a com- 
pany as you saw on shore. It must be that he 
either failed to find them, or came across another 
band. It stands us in hand to look after the 
party of reptiles lest they be on their way to 
Corn Island, there to fall upon the women and 
children.” 

Having said this he gave certain orders to the 
men, and without delay the long sweeps were 
worked until the heavy craft was forced close 
into the western bank, where she was made 
fast. 

Then thirty or more were ordered ashore, the 
major going with them after he had given us 
lads permission to follow. 

“ That we will do, sir,” I said, “ if we are 
needed to lead the way,” 


ASTRAY. 


133 


“We would be poor frontiersmen if we failed 
to follow your trail, lads,” Major Clarke said 
witk a smile. “ You shall do as you please.” 

Now it would have suited me better to re- 
main in safety aboard the flat-boat, yet there 
was a chance that now I might show my desire 
to repair the wrong committed, and I replied as 
if my heart was full of courage : 

“We may not be of much assistance, sir ; but 
I should like it better if we had a hand in the 
work.” 

Whereupon Paul stepped closely to my side 
as if to say I had but spoken the thoughts 
which were in his mind. 

Thus it was that we two followed the volun- 
teers, knowing full well we might fall into an 
ambush, and certain we would soon be battling 
with our enemies. 

Among these men led by Major Clarke, there 
was not one ignorant of how the work before 
him should be accomplished. No orders were 
necessary. 


134 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

The volunteers moved ten or twelve paces 
apart, stretching far up from the river until they 
were what would be called by military men a 
“ skirmish line,” and then began the advance, 
while the flat-boat remained moored to the bank 
and two settlers were paddling at full speed 
up-stream to warn the other craft. 

Save for the bungling movements of Paul 
and myself, not a sound could be heard as we 
pressed forward, keenly on the alert for the 
enemy, and ready for an immediate attack. 

It was as if a company of shadows flitted 
here and there amid the underbrush, so far as 
might be told from sound, and although the 
advance was noiseless, it was made swiftly. 

Paul and I were left somewhat in the rear 
because of not being able to keep the pace 
silently, and during more than half of the hour 
which passed, I failed to see a single man ahead 
of us. 

Then suddenly, although we knew full well 
it must soon come, the report of a rifle rang out 


ASTRAY. 


185 


on tlie still air ; after this another and another, 
until there could be no question but that the 
foremost of the party had come upon those of 
whom we gave warning. 

My timorousness was forgotten on the instant 
— cast out of mind by the knowledge that our 
lives must be defended, and Paul, whom I be- 
lieve of a verity had never been timid, pressed 
forward so rapidly to take part in the struggle 
that I laid hold of him lest he should unnec- 
essarily run into danger. 

We advanced three hundred paces or more 
before -coming to where our men were sheltered 
behind trees, trying to pick off the foe who 
were in similar positions, and I heard Major 
Clarke say in a sharp, low tone : 

“ Get to cover, lads ! The reptiles are close 
upon us, and you are giving them fair targets.” 

I leaped behind a gum tree, giving no heed 
to Paul’s movements, and had but just gained 
this shelter when a bullet cut the b^rk within 
an inch of my face. 


136 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

The Indians were ready for battle, although 
I had often heard it said they would never 
stand up in a fair hght, and there came into my 
mind the fear that Paul and I might have seen 
only a portion of their force — that possibly we 
were confronting a large body led by British 
officers. 


THE CAPTIVE SCOUT. 


137 


CHAPTER VII. 

THE CAPTIVE SCOUT. 

To you who have read of, and perhaps taken 
part in, battles between two armies, this en- 
counter on the banks of the Ohio may seem 
trifling, and devoid of interest, because there is 
no thrilling account of this gallant charge, or 
that stubborn holding of a position. 

Since the day when thirty men under com- 
mand of Major Clarke confronted an unknown 
number of Indians on the banks of the Ohio, 
driving them back in such fashion that there 
was no longer spirit enough left in them to 
carry out the murderous plan which they had 
formed for attacking the defenseless ones on 
Corn Island — since that day, I say, this country 


138 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIEB, 

has seen much of warfare, and what was to 
Paul Sampson and myself like a veritable battle 
has, even while I write, passed into history as 
something too insignificant to be worthy of any 
extended mention. 

To us lads, however, who stood there in the 
long, scattered line, knowing that our lives de- 
pended upon our own exertions ; knowing that 
the least incautious movement — a single instant 
wasted when the trigger of a rifle should have 
been pressed, might mean death, it was an en- 
gagement as heavy and important as any that 
has been waged since the world began, and 
with good reason, because our own safety hung 
in the balance. 

In this world one is prone to give importance 
to, or detract from, an event in such measure as 
it concerns himself alone, and, therefore, Paul 
and I may well be excused for holding high in our 
memory this conflict which meant everything to 
those people who on Corn Island awaited our 
movements before they should begin to build 


THE CAPTIVE SCOUT. I39 

that settlement which has since become known 
as Louisville. 

Of it I can tell no more than that which I saw, 
and I dare venture to say that my experience 
was the same as that of every other in the line, 
for no man could give attention save to what 
lay directly before him. 

It was in fact nothing more, this battle, than 
standing behind gum or pine tree, as the case 
might be, peering intently ahead and on either 
side for a distance of twenty or thirty paces, 
hoping to catch a glimpse of a tuft of feathers 
which would tell where a bullet might be sent 
with deadly effect, or cowering back whenever 
a movement of the foliage told that a rifle barrel 
was being thrust out so that the holder might 
take deadly aim. 

Commonplace enough it sounds when set down 
in words ; but if he who chances to read can 
imagine himself in such a position, his only ef- 
fort being to save his own life or take that of 
another, some little idea may be had of the 


140 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

thrilling excitement which overcame me like 
unto a fever. 

Now and then from different points could be 
heard voices shouting words of encouragement 
to those in that line of brave men who might 
perchance be for the moment faint-hearted. 
Again, and all too often, came the cry of pain 
or an exclamation of anger when the bullet of a 
savage had bitten the flesh, and meanwhile 
Major Clarke was calling out to this man or to 
that as he leaped from one point of vantage to 
the other, animating every one by his words as 
well as his example. 

In such a situation the combatants do not 
give heed to the passage of time. There are 
intervals when each second is as a dozen minutes, 
and then again, when the minutes flit by ap- 
parently more quickly than one could count. 

Once, when having turned my back to the 
tree, knowing that my body was fully sheltered 
while I reloaded my rifle, I observed Paul, calm 
and collected as the mightiest hunter among us. 


THE CAPTIVE SCOUT. 


141 


If perchance his aim was less true than some of 
the others, it was not because of nervousness or 
anxiety concerning himself. He stood his 
ground like a man — a man who tights to protect 
others, rather than for his own honor or to pre- 
serve his own life. 

On that morning Paul Sampson gave good 
proof that he was worthy to be numbered among 
the defenders of the frontier, and showed that 
in him could be found none of his father’s 
tickle-mindedness. 

The report of his rifle rang out as often as 
did that of the most eager or most experienced 
in the line, and how much execution he might 
have done I know not ; but this is certain, that 
I saw no less than two tufts of feathers rise 
convulsively and then sink suddenly out of sight 
when his weapon had been discharged at 
them. 

1 say it is impossible to tell at such a time how 
long one faces his foe ; but it was afterwards 
told that the Indians stood up to the battle for 


ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 
near an hour, and then came the word from 
Major Clarke that they were falling back. 

This information was in the nature of a com- 
mand for us to advance, and advance we did, 
leaping from one place of shelter to another, 
while hastening the faint-hearted foe by bullets 
sent whithersoever the swaying of the foliage 
told us one of the brutes was making his way 
onward. 

When we had advanced in such halting fash- 
ion for the distance of forty or fifty paces, I w^as 
come to where the painted crew had made their 
stand, and there saw good evidence of what we 
had accomplished. 

No less than four bodies were stretched on 
the ground lifeless, and my timorousness re- 
turned in a measure as I realized that near at 
hand, perhaps making ready to take aim at me, 
might be some savage, so badly wounded that 
he could not join his fellows in what had become 
little less than a flight. 

At that moment we were in more danger of 



We advanced from one place of shelter to another, firing rapidly.-Page 142. 

On the Kentucky Frontier. 





THE CAPTIVE SCOUT. 143 

such of the savages than from those who were 
yet sound in body ; but as the time passed and 
I felt neither the sting of a bullet nor the burn- 
ing cut of a knife, my courage came back again 
before those around me noted the fact of my 
having been near to cowardice. 

AYe advanced, leaping from one sheltered spot 
to another, until the word was passed along the 
line that the remnant of the foe had taken to 
flight, no longer trjdng to shelter themselves, 
and the battle was over, save for those eager 
white men who pursued in the hope of shedding 
yet more Indian blood. 

Major Clarke gave the word for his force to 
fall back to the boat. He told off four men to 
search the thicket for bodies of the savages in 
order that we might know how many had fallen, 
and the remainder of the party, save two or 
three who were so far in advance as not to have 
lieard the command, returned to where the flat- 
boat was moored. 

It was in my mind to congratulate Paul upon 


144 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

his having been in action and come out unscathed, 
believing a lad like him, who had stood up 
against the enemy for the first time in his life, 
would be ready to hear words of praise, or, at 
least, discuss the exciting events. 

But the boy whom I had looked upon as 
ignorant because of never having lived on the 
frontier, was now shaming me by his actions. 

Instead of spending his time in useless words, 
Paul began cleaning his heated rifie, and other- 
wise putting himself into condition to do a like 
service if the occasion should suddenly require 
it. 

Abashed by his calm and manly behavior, I 
held my peace, following his example, and when 
the last of the pursuers had returned to the 
flat-boat we two lads were ready to take part in 
another encounter. 

Those who had been detailed to learn how 
much injury we inflicted upon the foe, reported 
that fourteen killed or grievously wounded lay 
in the thicket, and once more Major Clarke 


THE CAPTIVE SCOUT. 


145 


questioned us as to the probable number we had 
seen in the encampment. 

I was positive, as also was Paul, that there 
could not have been upward of thirty, while it 
was more reasonable to believe the band num- 
bered less than twenty, and the major claimed 
that we might rest assured there was no longer 
any danger to be feared from this particular 
band of brutes. 

While we were fighting in the thicket the 
other flat-boats had come down the stream, 
rounded-to, and made fast alongside the first 
craft ; but not a man had gone on shore to take 
part in the battle because of the orders left by 
our leader. 

Now we were ready to continue the journey, 
and the major said to Paul and me when we 
were on board once more, drifting with the 
current : 

“ I allow that it was a fortunate mishap for 
you lads to have lost sight of Simon Kenton, 
otherwise we should have been called upon to 

lO 


146 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

bury a certain number of dead from among the 
force, instead of having to count only four 
slightly wounded. Had that party of reptiles 
fired on us from the thicket as we drifted by, 
much loss of life must have followed. There- 
fore I hold to it that you have done us, at the 
very beginning of the journey, good service.” 

‘‘ But where can Simon Kenton be ? ” I asked. 

Pushing on down the river most like, be- 
lieving you were captured while he was spying 
upon the other members of that gang. AVe 
shall come across him before many days have 
passed, unless it so be that he finds it neces- 
sary to come back for the purpose of warn- 
ing us.” 

If the major had intimated that Simon Kenton 
might at that moment be a prisoner among the 
savages, I should have felt the keenest anxiety 
for his safety ; but here was a man who had had 
more experience on the frontier than the eldest 
among us, speaking of the scout as if it was not 
possible any danger could have come to him, 


THE CAPTIVE SCOUT. 


147 


and whatever fears might have been in my mind 
prior to this time were speedily allayed. 

Now I began to enjoy the journey down the 
river. We had nothing to do save sit at our 
ease while the swift, strong current bore us on- 
ward toward our destination, and such traveling 
was exceedingly pleasant, more particularly 
since I no longer thought it necessary to blame 
myself for having left the canoe when I should 
have remained by her. 

Simon Kenton himself would censure me for 
having done as I did ; but after knowing how 
much good had resulted from it, his words of 
blame could not be severe. 

It was with such thoughts I comforted myself, 
and finally gave no heed to anything save that 
which was pleasurable. 

When noon came Paul and I shared the pro- 
visions of our companions, and, after the meal 
was come to an end, lay stretched at full length 
in the after part of the boat watching the pan« 
orama spread out before ns. 


148 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

It must not be supposed that while the boats 
drifted on in this lazy fashion the men neglected 
to give due heed to possible danger. 

Strict watch was kept on either bank, and 
when it became necessary to round a point or 
pass some tiny cove fringed with trees wherein 
the enemy might lurk to send a shower of 
bullets among us, the heavy craft were forced to 
the greatest possible distance from the place of 
danger, while every man stood, rifle in hand, 
ready to check an attack or return a volley. 

It was not permitted that we should hold 
converse in voices louder than a whisper, and 
those who worked the heavy sweeps were care- 
ful to do so in the most noiseless fashion, for we 
knew full well that the enemy lurked on either 
shore, and every care was taken to avoid giving 
notice of our approach. 

When the day was near to an end the boats 
^vere allowed to come closer together, and finally, 
when night was so near at hand that the shadows 
on the shore grew clense, Major Clarke gave a. 


Me captive scout. 


149 

signal, by gestures, that we were to haul up till 
morning. 

“ Are we to lay by the bank over night ? ” 
Paul asked, and I, unable to reply, appealed 
for information to the man nearest, who said 
much as if believing the question a foolish 
one : 

‘‘ I reckon there won’t be any boatin’ done 
after sunset, unless there’s some great need. 
Those who drift down this river just now 
had best do so when it is possible to have a good 
view of either bank, and Major Clarke is not 
the man to take needless chances.” 

“ The savages can do no more mischief in the 
dark than when the sun shines,” Paul said 
quietly. 

“ That is where I’m not agreein’ with you, my 
lad. In the light we can give as good as they 
send ; but after dark, when there’s no chance of 
seein’ the reptiles, they have the upper hands. 
Howsomever, our opinion on the matter won’t 
have any very great weight with the major, and 


150 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

you’ll find that along about this time each day 
we’ll be looking for a place to halt.” 

The boat in which we sailed was the foremost 
of the fleet, and while the man was yet speaking 
the crew worked the sweeps until she rounded- 
to under the bank, followed by the others, and 
in less than half an hour we were moored for 
the night. 

This done, the first duty was to learn whether 
there might be any of the enemy in the vicinity, 
and scouts were sent out at once, while the re- 
mainder of the company set about getting supper, 
or, perhaps I should say, eating it, for such 
food as we carried at that time was already 
cooked. 

There was no thought of immediate danger in 
my mind ; as a matter of course I realized that 
we were surrounded by enemies, but after the 
battle of the morning I was confident the enemy 
had been driven to a respectful distance. 

I had ceased to think of Simon Kenton, save 
as pushing on down the river at his best pace, 


THE CAPTIVE SCOUT. 


151 


scolding because we were not with him to share 
in the labor, and I counted on spending the 
night in rest. 

It so chanced that Major Clarke was seated 
very near Paul and I when the first of the scouts 
returned, and the information he brought was 
sufficient to drive from the minds of every man 
on board all thought of idling. 

It appeared from the story we heard, that 
this scout, seeing a faint glow as of a light on 
the opposite side of the nver, a mile below 
where we were lying, had taken a canoe from 
the nearest flat-boat and paddled across. 

There, after having landed, he crept noise- 
lessly through the foliage an hundred yards or 
more from the bank until he saw that which 
explained to me, at least, why Paul and I failed 
to find the dugout when we returned after our 
foolish tramp. 

A party of fifty Indians, most likely a por- 
tion of the same band we whipped that morn- 
ing, had halted for the purpose of torturing a 


152 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

prisoner to death, and that prisoner, so the man 
declared, was none other than Simon Kenton. 

He also had been rash and foolish when going 
ashore in search of information, and at about 
the time we heard the reports of the firearms he 
must have been made a prisoner. 

Even as I shuddered at the possibility that 
those who would go to the rescue might ari’ive 
too late, I thought with a certain sense of re- 
lief that now he could not find fault with us 
for having abandoned out post. 

Had we remained in the canoe, as we should 
have done, then beyond a peradventure we had 
been captives with him, and the flat-boats, not 
having been delayed by the battle, might at 
this time be too far down stream for their occu- 
pants to render any aid. 

It goes without saying that instantly this 
news was told preparations were made for the 
rescue, and while the men were being told off, 
for Major Clarke did not intend to take with 
him more than half a company, Paul said to me 


THE CAPTIVE SCOOT. 153 

quietly, as if there was nothing to excite or 
alarm : 

“ Of course it is our right to aid in the rescue 
of fhe scout.” 

“ There are many others here who could do 
better service than we,” 1 replied, not relishing 
a second encounter. 

If Paul and I had been alone in the thicket, 
and were the only ones who could give assist- 
ance to Simon Kenton, then never for an instant 
would I have dreamed of holding back ; but 
here were near to four hundred men, all of them 
with more experience in such bloody business 
than either he or I, and it was only a question 
of desire that would carry us into the conflict. 

“ We set out from Corn Island with him, 
and should be the first to go to his relief,” Paul 
said, as if the matter was already settled in his 
mind, and I understood on the instant that 
he would apply to Major Clarke for permission 
to join the force, whether I was disposed to 
accompany him or not. 


154 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

It would have shamed me wofully had 
Simon Kenton been alive when the party 
reached him, and failed to see me with my com- 
rade, therefore I leaped up at once as if eager 
for another battle, and together we approached 
the commander. 

“ It is our desire, sir, to take part in the res- 
cue,” Paul said modestly. We were his 
comrades, and should be the first to go to his 
relief.” 

Then it was Major Clarke made much the 
same answer as had I, replying that it would be 
better the older men take the brunt of the 
afiair ; but Paul held grimly to his purpose, by 
repeating : 

It is our duty, sir, and I believe it to be 
our right.” 

I was not disposed that he should be the 
only one to display courage and a desire to aid 
Simon Kenton, therefore I said, throwing such 
of desire into my tones as was possible : 

I pray you, sir, that we be. allowed to join 


THE CAPTIVE SCOUT. 


155 


the party, if for no other reason than because 
the scout was our comrade.” 

“ It shall be as you say, lads,” Major Clarke 
replied ; “ but I warn you against being too 
eager for such frays. An attack in the night, 
while it may sometimes be less dangerous than 
in the daytime, is likely to prove far more 
hazardous.” 

The major might have convinced me that it 
was my duty to remain aboard the flat-boat ; 
but Paul Sampson was as headstrong once he 
had resolved, as he was (piiet in manner, and I 
understood, without the necessity for words, 
that he wculd not be turned from his purpose. 

It can well be supposed that after this word 
^vas brought in every man gave due heed to 
silence, for should the savages who were making 
ready to torture the prisoner, discover that we 
were near at hand, Simon Kenton’s death 
would speedily follow. 

To make any attempt to gain the opposite 
shore with one of the large flat-boats would be 


156 ON the Kentucky EKonTIEK 
folly, therefore all the dugonts which we towed, 
or carried aboard^ Were brought into line, and 
those men selected for the enterprise clambered 
into them, Paul and I among the others. 

Now to my surprise, instead of putting di- 
rectly across the river, the boats were allowed 
to drift down on the same side where the heavy 
craft were moored, keeping well within the 
shadow of the trees, and not until we were a 
mile or more below where it was said the 
Indians had halted, was any effort made to 
cross. 

By the time the opposite side was gained we 
were fully two miles down stream, and even a 
greater distance from the place it would be 
necessary to gain in order to rescue Kenton. 

Here we landed, Major Clarke and. one of the 
older men taking the lead, while the remainder 
followed in single file. 

Paul and I were midway of the line, and be- 
cause strict orders had been given that no word 
should be spoken, he pressed my arm from time 


THE CAPTIVE SCOUT. 


157 


to time as if to convey by such means the 
thoughts that came into his mind. 

1 could not divine of what he might be think- 
ing ; but I knew it was a very disagreeable fact 
that at any moment we might fall into an am- 
bush, for no man could say with certainty that 
the Indians had failed to note our coming. 

I suffered more during that tramp of two 
miles in the utter darkness, than on the previous 
night when it had seemed as if Paul’s fate and 
mine was sealed. 

When we were come so near to the place of 
torture that the light of the fires kindled around 
the tree to which the captive was bound could 
be plainly seen, but were screened from view of 
the river by the foliage, my heart beat and 
thumped until it seemed, so nervous had I be- 
come, as if the noise must give warning to the 
painted crew who were dancing around their 
intended victim. 

In whispers Major Clarke gave orders that 
the men should separate and creep forward. 


158 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

eacli at a distance of six paces from the other, 
until we had half encircled the murderous band, 
and then each was to be on the alert, ready to 
fire when the first report of the commander’s 
rifie was heard. 

By such means was it believed that a full half 
of the savages would be slain at the first fire, 
and, thus taken by surprise, the remainder would 
seek safety in flight. 

When Paul and I, keeping nearer together 
than the orders permitted, had come as close to 
the savages as might be done with safety, we 
had a full view of the unfortunate Kenton. 

I had no doubt but that the Indians rec- 
ognized him as one who had worked them no 
little harm in the past, for they were preparing 
to prolong his tortures to .the utmost. Sharp 
splinters of wood were being made ready for 
use after the fashion of spears, lest knives should 
produce death too (pickly, and the painted 
crew were already circling close around him, 
when, as I knew from what had been told me 


THE CAPTIVE SCOUT. 


159 


by the others, before the tires were lighted which 
should burn his flesh, he would be cut and man- 
gled with a thousand superflcial wounds. 

A brave man was Simon Kenton, and so he 
showed himself at this moment when there could 
have been no hope in his mind that help was 
near. 

Stripped nearly naked in order that the mur- 
derous wolves might see where to strike without 
inflicting too serious an injury, he faced them 
with what was very like a smile on his face, 
while the blood was already flowing down his 
body from tiny gashes, and I understood that 
however much of anguish might come to him, 
never a cry of pain could be rung from his lips. 

Paul crept nearer to grasp my arm with a 
convulsive clutch, and I knew the lad was feel- 
ing most keenly for the prisoner^ being able to 
understand full well what must have been the 
captive’s thoughts, for had he not occupied the 
same position ? 

I had leveled my rifle, aiming at the Indian 


160 ON THE KENTU«CKY FRONTIER, 

who stood nearest Simon Kenton, determined 
that the ball should find its billet, when the 
sharp crack of Major Clarke’s weapon rang out, 
and a dancing savage fell to the ground with a 
shriek of pain and defiance. 

Instantly half an hundred rifles were dis- 
charged, and it seemed to me as if every feathered 
head went down, after which the scene was 
obscured from view by clouds of sulphurous 
.smoke. 


AT THE RENDEZVOUS. 


161 


CHAPTER VIII. 

AT THE RENDEZVOUS. 

Even before the smoke had cleared away 
sufficiently for me to see the captives, our people 
rushed forward, all reloading as they ran, and . 
during two or three minutes the confusion was 
so great that I could not make out what might 
be going on. 

Paul and I had dashed forward with the 
rest, and, instinctively, so far as I was concerned, 
we directed our steps toward the prisoner, who 
was bound hand and foot in such a manner that 
I question if he could have moved either of his 
limbs by so much as a hair’s breadth. 

The effect of the fire was not so deadly as I 
had at first supposed. More than one of the 
ravages must have dropped to the ground to dis- 


162 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

concert our aim, as I now understood on seeing 
that no more than five lay stretched out on the 
ground near the captive. 

The remainder had taken to cover a short 
distance away, and two of our men dropped as 
they ran forward, while I saw bloodstains on 
the shirts of two others. 

‘‘We must get to shelter!” 1 shouted to 
Paul, swerving aside from the course we had 
been pursuing as I spoke, and clutching his 
arm in order that he should be forced to do the 
same. 

The brave little lad had no idea of leaving 
Simon Kenton at the mercy of the painted 
brutes, however. It was reasonable to suppose 
they would shoot him rather than allow a res- 
cue, and Paul was bent on saving him at the 
hazard of his own life. 

Wrenching his arm from my grasp, and 
almost at the same instant drawing his hunting 
knife, he dashed on toward the tree to which 
the scout was bound, and involuntarily I fob 


AT THE RENDEZVOUS. 1(53 

lowed ; but no credit should be given me for 
the act, because I was hardly conscious of my 
own movements. 

Here, there and everywhere around us, as it 
seemed to me, rang out the reports of rifles, and 
every weapon was held with deadly aim. 

It was as if the air was full of death-dealing 
missiles, and yet no one of them touched us as 
we sped across what was now an open space, 
both white men and savages having retreated 
to the nearest shelter. 

Paul was the first to reach the captive, and 
with an exultant shout he began hacking at the 
deer-hide thongs with Avhich the poor fellow 
was bound. 

“ You’re lads after my own heart ! ” Simon 
Kenton cried, his voice ringing out clear and 
distinct even above the yells of the combatants 
and the rattle of the rifles. If I live it may 
be possible to pay you two for this night’s 
work ! ” 

His words drove the timorousness from my 


164 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

heart, and before he ceased speaking I was 
aiding Paul in severing the thongs with as much 
eagerness as if it had been my idea rather than 
his to perform such perilous work. 

The savages began to shoot at us in the hope 
of preventing our purpose, and, perhaps, to kill 
the prisoner at the same time, whereupon our 
people opened such rapid and murderous fire 
that not a be-feathered head dared to show it- 
self, and in a comparatively short space of time 
Simon Kenton was running stifiiy toward the 
nearest shelter. 

He had been bound in one position so 
long that his limbs were nearly helpless ; but 
he managed to get over the ground nearly as 
fast as could we two lads, and picked up a rifle 
that had fallen from a dead Indian’s hand even 
as he ran. v 

It was to me as if the fight had hardly more 
than begun when we three were in a place of 
comparative safety once more, and oh the alert 
to pick off a foe, 


AT THE RENDEZVOUS. 165 

Paul and I had a sufficient amount of ammu- 
nition to provide the scout with what he needed 
in order to continue his portion of the fight, and 
as he stood behind a big gum tree watching 
keenly for an opportunity to avenge the insults 
he had endured, we carried on quite a friendly 
conversation. 

“ What did you do when mornin’ came an’ I 
failed to show up ? ” Kenton asked, whereupon 
I replied quickly, thinking that the present was 
by far the best time I would ever have in which 
to acknowledge my fault. 

“We went in search of you after an hour had 
passed, and failed to find the canoe on our 
return.” 

Then Paul, most like, understanding that I 
would have the story told in a manner favorable 
to myself, gave a hurried account of our adven- 
tures from that time until we learned of the 
scout’s trouble. 

“ I ran straight into the arms of four snakes 
who had heard me coming, and showed myself 


166 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

to be tbe biggest idiot that ever made a try of 
goin’ down the Ohio River,” Kenton said bit- 
terly, and I rejoiced at the tone, for it told that 
he would not be likely to inquire very closely 
into my folly. 

He had been bound to the tree where we found 
him, since early morning, and during such time 
the savages had given him a slight foretaste of 
what was to come, by cutting his body here and 
there until the blood flowed in tiny streams. 

At the moment it struck me as strange that 
we three should be talking of the 23ast in this 
leisurely fashion, interrupting ourselves now and 
then to discharge our rifles when a tuft of 
feathers could be seen ; but I afterward came 
to know that in times of greatest danger Simon 
Kenton appeared to be occupied with the most 
trifling affairs. 

I asked him once, when the conversation 
lagged, if he had thought Major Clarke’s force 
might come to his relief, and he replied em- 
phatically : 


AT THE RENDEZVOUS. 167 

“ I had no idea, lad, but that they were many 
miles below here. You can be certain that 1 
turned the matter over and over again in my mind. 
There was ample time for reflection, and I could 
see no way but for me to go into the other world 
as cheerfully as possible. I was determined 
those sneaks shouldn’t bring a cry of pain to my 
lips. But for you two, for I’m countin’ that some 
of the reptiles would have shot me before this 
if you hadn’t come up like little men, riskin’ the 
bullets, to set me free, I’d taken no more part 
in this ’ere trip of Major Clarke’s. If either of 
you ever get into a tight place, you can count 
on my standin’ close alongside while the breath 
stays in my body.” 

This was the moment when I should have 
confessed that but for Paul, he, Simon Kenton, 
would yet be bound to the tree ; but the words 
were not spoken, and I have never ceased to 
regret that I did not make the explanation due 
my comrade. 

As I read over what is here set down it seems 


168 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 
much as if I had made it appear that we were 
giving little heed to whatever might be passing 
around us, when, as a matter of fact, we were 
keenly alive to all that went on, and lost no op- 
portunity of dealing the painted fiends a deadly 
blow. 

Nor were the other members of our party at 
all backward in doing their duty. As when we 
faced the savages further up the river, every 
man did his best, and this display of courage 
was not to the liking of such sneaks as had 
counted on shedding Simon Kenton’s blood. 

Within half an hour from the time the scout 
was set free, they began to draw back, and we 
pressed our advantage until such a blow had 
been dealt as must have taught them a lesson. 

Then was heard Major Clarke’s voice ordering 
the men back to the canoes, and within a few 
moments we were being ferried across to the 
flat-boat, where the other members of the 
•expedition were waiting anxiously to learn the 
xesult of the venture. 


AT THE RENDEZVOUS. 


169 


There was no longer any urgent reason why 
we should remain silent, for the noise of the 
conflict had alarmed every painted snake within 
sound of the rifles, and our men discussed the 
situation without taking the precaution to speak 
in whispers. 

The general belief appeared to be that these 
two parties whom we had fought since day- 
break, were one and the same. Our first meet- 
ing was with those who were pushing on up the 
river in advance to spy out the land, and it was 
the main body that had made of Kenton a 
prisoner. 

All that had happened was for the best. But 
for my folly many men might have been slain, 
and that folly would not have been committed 
but for the fact of the scout’s having been 
taking prisoner. 

Clearly the good God had interposed in our 
favor, and we were come out of the fights with 
nothing more serious than wounds which, if 
properly cared for, would soon heal. 


170 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

Within half an hour from the time we stepped 
on board the flat-boat after having released Ken- 
ton, he insisted that Paul and I should lay down 
to sleep, and at the moment I believed this dis- 
play of care for us arose from our efforts to re- 
lease him at a time when death was looking into 
his face. 

Having had no sleep the night before, we 
were only too glad to act upon his suggestion, 
and in a short time both of us lads were sleep- 
ing soundly as oniy tired boys can. 

At midnight we came to understand why 
Kenton had been so solicitous for our welfare. 

Then he aroused us, saying as we opened our 
eyes : 

“ I reckon you lads don’t want to stay here 
any longer, an’ it’s time we were movin’ ? ” 

“ Where are you going ? ” I asked sleepily. 

“Ahead of the flat-boats. Unless we start 
now there’s little chance we can do the party 
much good, an’ I’m countin’ on makin’ a better 
job than was the first one.” 


AT THE RENDEZVOUS. 


171 


It was not to ray liking, this setting out in 
the middle of the night to drift through a coun- 
try infested, as we had by this time every reason 
to believe, with savage enemies, and I failed to 
understand how we could be of benefit to the 
volunteers by sailing down the river in the 
darkness when we might pass an hundred bands 
of reptiles without having any suspicion they 
were near. 

This much I said to Kenton, and he replied 
with a laugh : 

‘‘ I reckon we can count on the river’s bein’ clear 
for the next thirty miles, an’ after we’ve gone 
that far it’ll be a case of layin’ alongside the 
bank to wait for daylight, or takin’ a quiet little 
scout ashore.” 

‘‘ As you did last night,” I said quickly, giving 
but little heed to the words, and a second later 
I could have bitten my tongue for having made 
such a slip, for the scout said grimly : 

“ Perhaps it’ll be as well if we don’t talk much 
about last night. The lad who leaves a canoe 


172 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 
to search for a comrade who’s out scoutin’, not 
havin’ left any word as to where he might be 
goin’, ain’t in good trim to cast up old scores at- 
others.” 

Now it was I understood why Simon Kenton 
had refrained from making any disagreeable 
remark when Paul told of our movements. He 
realized that we had done a reckless thing, but 
was not minded to say what might have hurt 
our feelings at a time when we had just aided 
in saving his life. 

But for my quick tongue I should never have 
known that he realized fully all my folly. 

It can well be fancied that, after this re- 
minder that I was not to be trusted in time of 
danger, my lips remained closed, and in silence 
I set about making ready for the journey. 

The dugout which Kenton had decided to 
take was lying alongside, and in her had already 
been placed such a supply of provisions as we 
might need. 

There was little for Paul and I to do save 


AT THE RENDEZVOUS. 


178 


get our sleepy eyes wide open, and clamber 
over the side of the Hat-boat, a task which we 
performed in silence. 

Major Clarke was awake to give us his final 
instructions, and after he had held a private 
conversation with Kenton, the latter came into 
the canoe, casting olf the hawser as he said in 
answer to a whispered remark of the com- 
mander’s : 

Never fear but that 1 know full well what 
may happen, an’ you can count on my bein’ 
more careful than before.” 

I had an idea that these Avords might have 
reference to my foolishness of the night pre- 
vious, and did not seek to learn what Major 
Clarke had been warning him against. 

We pushed off into the darkness, our light 
craft, moved quickly away by the rapid current, 
and almost immediately it seemed as if we were 
wholly alone in the wilderness once more. 

Save to keep the canoe in mid-stream, Kenton 
in^de Ro effort to direct her movements, and we 


174 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

floated down the river in silence, keeping sharp 
watch on either bank while 1 promised myself 
never again to be guilty of giving way to fear. 

Paul, brave lad that he was, held his peace. 
Thus far he had covered himself with the glory 
which can be gained when one is pitted against 
such enemies as were ours, and the fact that I 
had not given him full credit when there was 
an opportunity for so doing, only caused me to 
feel the more keenly that he was my superior 
even though having had no previous expe- 
rience. 

I guessed that the current carried us a good 
five miles an hour. The distance from Corn 
Island to the rendezvous at the mouth of the 
Tennessee Eiver was said to be considerably 
more than three hundred miles, and at the rate 
of progress made by the heavy boats, lying by 
during the night as they did, it would require 
full six days in which to make the journey. 

We in the canoe could not look forward to 
less than five days of this drifting on the river^ in 


AT THE EENDEZVOUS. 


175 


case we met with no delay, and while I thought 
of my mother it seemed as if we were going to 
the other side of the world. I wondered whether 
I might ever see her again, and it appeared 
much as if the chances were against our meet- 
ing, judging from the dangers into which we 
had already run when the voyage was hardly 
more than well begun. 

By this dwelling upon the possibilities I soon 
worked myself into a most cowardly frame of 
mind, from which I did not awaken until we 
were come to a long stretch of sandy land either 
side of the river, where there was no fear our 
enemies could find a hiding-place. 

Then it was that Simon Kenton started a 
conversation, as if knowing I needed cheering, 
and he did not bring it to a close until we 
were near the wooded portion of the shores 
again. 

When daylight came we had seen nothing to 
cause alarm, although all knew full well that 
we might have passed scores of savages without 


176 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

being aware of the fact, and the scout paddled 
the boat toward the western shore, as he said in 
a low tone : 

“ I’m countin’ on havin’ a look around, lads, 
an’ this time you’ll stay quietly aboard till I 
come back, or the flat-boats heave in sight.” 

Paul, understanding that these words were 
somewhat in the nature of a reproof to me, said 
boldly : 

“ It was well for you, Simon Kenton, that 
Louis insisted on going ashore, else the sun had 
never risen again for your eyes.” 

“ All that I know right well, lad, an’ I’d be a 
brute if I didn’t give the fact due weight ; but 
I’m not willin’ you should put your own lives 
in peril for me. You’ve got people who love 
you, while I ” 

He ceased speaking suddenly as if having 
said more than he intended, and again my tongue 
was an unruly member. 

“Haven’t you any kin who would mourn 
because of your absence ? ” I asked, and Simon 


AT THE RENDEZVOUS. 


m 


Kenton’s face grew pale, bronzed though it was 
by the weather. 

“ The less that’s said about me the better,” he 
replied curtly, and then, the canoe being along- 
side the bank, he sprang out to make her fast, 
thus putting an end to further words. 

He was absent no more than half an hour, 
during which time Paul and I sat motionless 
and silent, hidden by the foliage, from the 
view of any who might pass either by land or 
water. 

When he returned we knew he had seen no 
signs of danger, although not a word was 
spoken until we were a mile or more from the 
halting place. Then he said quietly : 

“ I reckon we’ve already met all the reptiles 
who are roamin’ hereabout, an’ that we shan’t 
run our noses into any more fights this side of 
the Tennessee River. We’ll keep a sharp look- 
out just the same, though, an’ pull up to-night 
so’s not to get too far ahead of the volunteers.” 

As he said so we did. During the day we 
12 


178 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

drifted with the current seeing naught of dan- 
ger, and at nightfall pulled the canoe up under 
the overhanging foliage to enjoy a good night’s 
rest. 

The story of this day’s journey was that of 
the days which followed until we were come to 
the rendezvous, arriving, as we believed, not 
more than four and twenty hours in advance of 
Major Clarke’s force. 

Since the day when Simon Kenton was made 
prisoner we had seen no signs of the foe, and it 
seemed certain that then we had come upon 
the only warlike band outside the British out- 
posts. 

When we stepped from the canoe at the 
mouth of the Tennessee River I drew in a long 
breath of relief, for at that moment I was nearc’" 
exhaustion than I ever believed would be j 
sible when one has done nothing more t . . 
remain inactive. 

To sit in a narrow boat like our dugout day 
after day, not daring to move lest she should be 


AT THE RENDEZVOUS. 179 

overset, is real labor. I had never had much 
experience in such traveling, and felt that I 
really needed no more. 

We made camp by building a lean-to of 
light stuff, and while Simon Kenton went back 
into the thicket to search for game of some 
kind, Paul Sampson and I lounged lazily about, 
enjoying to the utmost the possibility of stretch- 
iog our limbs at full length. 

The scout was yet absent when we saw 
emerge cautiously from the foliage four white 
men, and but for the fact that they carried a 
goodly supply of meat, thus showing they had 
been out hunting, I might have suspected them 
to be British spies. 

As it was, I did not feel at libeifiy to give 
any especial information concerning ourselves, 
and warned Paul to be on his guard against 
speaking of the flat-boats ; but rather to let 
them believe we were simply journeying down 
the river in search of a homestead location. 

Asa matter of course the sharp-eyed hunters 


180 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

saw our lean-to immediately they emerged, 
from amid the underbrush, and came directly 
toward us. 

In the wilderness men are either enemies or 
friends ; there is no half-way ground as amid 
townspeople, and I at once decided in my mind 
that these newcomers might be depended 
upon, although I wished most heartily for 
Simon Kenton, who could take the responsibility 
of receiving them. 

Their first question was as to whether we 
were alone, and on being told who was our 
companion and leader, one of the party ex- 
pressed the greatest pleasure at meeting him 
once more. 

I’ve scouted an’ trapped with young Ken- 
ton,” the hunter said warmly, “ an’ a better 
friend I never hope to have. Where are you 
headin’, lads ? ” 

I stammered, not willing to give much infor- 
mation until we knew more regarding the 
strangers, and yet hesitating to refuse an answer 


AT THE EENDEZVOtrS. 181 

to a simple question, when Paul said quickly, 
relieving me of my embarrassment : 

“ If you know Simon Kenton, sir, you can 
well understand that it does not become us 
boys to speak of his purpose. He has gone in 
search of meat, and will soon return to answer 
for himself.” 

“ Well, said, lad. You have a cautious 
tongue, an’ it’s needed hereabouts, because some 
of us have white enemies as well as red. We 
can wait for Kenton, an’ meanwhile there’ll be 
no great harm done if we set to work cookin’ a 
bit of this ’ere game.” 

Then the men took possession of our poor 
camp, and the odor of meat cooking was soon 
rising on the evening air, sharpening our appe- 
tites until, but for the shame of it, I would 
have begged some of the food before it had 
more than been browned by the tlames. 

The meal was not yet prepared when Simon 
Kenton appeared, and I was rejoiced to see 
him greet the hunters as if they had been old 


182 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

friends, for it told that during this night at 
least we had nothing to fear. 

Without hesitation he explained the purpose 
of our coming, and told of the flat-boats with 
their loads of volunteers which might be ex- 
pected on the morrow, whereupon the strangers 
seemed highly gratified. 

It appeared, as I soon learned by the conver- 
sation, that these men had come from Kaskas- 
kia ; but were by no means on friendly terms 
with the commander of the British post there. 

They were in sympathy with the efforts of 
the colonists to shake off the yoke which the 
king had put upon them, and declared their 
purpose to join Major Clarke’s force, if that 
.officer should be willing to receive them. 

‘‘ I’ll answer for it that the major gives you 
a hearty welcome,” Kenton said in a tone of 
satisfaction, “ an’ by your aid we shall be able 
to surprise the outpost.” 

Then the conversation ceased in order that 
all hands might partake of the meal, which by 


AT THE RENDEZVOUS. 


183 


this time was prepared, and we two lads felt 
that the most dangerous portion of the enter- 
prise was over, although at least two British 
garrisons were yet to be captured. 


184 


ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 


CHAPTER IX. 

KASKASKIA. 

During this evening and the following day 
we gained all the information concerning Kas- 
kaskia which it was necessary Major Clarke 
should know. 

These men who had come upon us so oppor- 
tunely, were, as I have said, trappers from that 
outpost, and eager to do whatsoever they might 
toward overthrowing the rule of the Britishers 
on our frontier. 

Such desire was only natural, as may be be- 
lieved when I say that the king’s officers pur- 
sued the policy of stimulating the Indians 
against the settlers, in order that such as were 
not willing to own allegiance to the king should 
be killed or driven from the country. 


KASKASKIA. 


185 


Monsieur Rocheblave, a Frencliman, had com- 
mand of the British forces roundabout Kaskas- 
kia, and the hunters reported him to be an 
exceedingly vigilant officer, who kept a large 
number of spies continually on the alert to 
guard against the approach of people from 
Kentucky who were known to have taken 
sides with the eastern colonists in the struggle 
for liberty. 

There were eighty British soldiers in the gar- 
rison, and all the redskins nearabout were in 
the pay of the commandant, therefore it might 
be said that the force at this point was exceed- 
ing strong ; but Simon Kenton’s friends believed 
it might be taken by surprise, providing we 
could capture the spies sent out by Rocheblave. 

Once our people appeared before the gandson, 
when the Indians were not there to lend their 
aid, the post must of a necessity surrender, and 
thus the work set for us to do might be accom^ 
plished without bloodshed. 

That this renegade Frenchman was exerting 


186 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

himself to stir up the Indians against the settlers 
there could be no question ; in fact one of these 
hunters had good proof that such was the case, 
he having been present when the king’s officer 
offered a certain reward in the shape of ammuni- 
tion and blankets if the savages would surprise 
and massacre a number of families who had 
made a clearing on the banks of the Mississippi 
River. 

Kaskaskia was founded, as I have read, after 
the visit of La Salle to the Mississippi in 1683, 
by Father Gravier, Catholic missionary among 
the Illinois Indians, and was the capital and 
chief town of the Illinois country so far as the 
French continued in possession of it. In 1763, 
it was ceded by the French to Great Britain, 
and such of the French officers as held possession 
were continued in the pay of the English king. 

With the exception of fifteen or twenty, such 
as the hunters whom we met, all the settlers in 
that vicinity were of French descent. 

The day following our arrival at the mouth 


KASKASKIA. 18^ 

of the Tennessee River was spent in idleness. 
We had a plentiful supply of meat, and the 
hunters were unwilling to talk or think of any- 
thing save the possible capture of the outpost 
from whence had been sent so many murdering 
bands of savages to shed blood simply that the 
king’s hold upon this fair country might be the 
stronger. 

Therefore it was we remained idle, wasting 
our time, as I thought, until an hour past noon, 
when Paul and I had wandered a short distance 
up the riv^er in company with Simon Kenton 
and the hunter whom he had greeted as a 
friend, and then were spoken those words which 
lifted from Simon Kenton’s heart the greatest 
burden man can bear. 

Several times since he so suddenly appeared 
to me on the bank of the Ohio River, having 
come at a time when he could render my mother 
and myself the greatest possible service, had he 
commenced a sentence regarding himself, and 
suddenly stopped, as if fearing to betray some- 


188 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

what of Lis own life which others should not 

know\ 

Such behavior, together with the fact that he 
refused to say anything concerning his early life, 
or why he was serving as a scout when it would 
seem as if nature had fitted him for some noble 
purpose, convinced me, boy though I was, that 
there was a painful secret which had sent him 
out from among those whom he loved. 

On this day of which I speak, while we were 
strolling aimlessly up the river, the hunter said 
carelessly, giving no particular weight to his 
words : 

“ I met Donnelly at Cahokia a short time 
ago, and we spoke of you, Simon.” 

Kenton stopped suddenly as does a man 
when a bullet reaches a vital spot in his body. 
His face turned pale as I had seen it once 
before, aild he trembled as if in an ague fit, 
striving to speak, but in vain, and the hunter, 
alarmed by this show of weakness, would have 
sprung forward to prevent the scout from fall. 


KASKASKIA. 


189 


ing, but tbe latter waved liim aside as lie asked 
in a tremulous whisper : 

“ AVhicli Donnelly did you meet ? ” 

“ He whom you have reason to know ; per- 
haps it would have been better if I said that 
Donnelly who has good cause to remember 
you.” 

“ Do you mean Martin ? ” Simon Kenton 
asked with an effort, and showing yet greater 
evidence of being disturbed in mind. 

“ Ay, lad, Martin Donnelly, and why should 
you, above all others, show fear at his name ? ” 

“ Tell me ! ” and Kenton leaned forward 
eagerly, as if his very life depended upon the 
answer. “ Do you mean to say you spoke with 
that Martin Donnelly who lived some time ago 
in Fauquier County, in the colony of Vir- 
ginia ? ” 

“ Ay, Simon, the same. He whom you 
flogged until the breath had- well nigh left his 
body.” 

“ And he lives ? ” Kenton asked with a long 


190 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

indrawing of tlie breath, straightening himself 
up as does one who has been suddenly relieved 
of a heavy burden. 

“ He was alive when I met him in Cahokia, 
and counted on settling down in the ' Illinois 
country, if it so chanced everything was favor- 
able. He left his family in Virginia so I un- 
derstood ; but reckoned on going after them 
some time this fall.” 

Kenton leaned against a tree, his face hidden 
in his arm, and we three stood gazing at him in 
silence and astonishment until perhaps ten 
minutes had passed, when he turned to face us 
with an expression such as 1 shall never forget. 

“ If you have made no mistake, John Lucas,” 
he said, speaking slowly, and with a ring of joy 
in his tone, “ if you have spoken truly, there is 
taken from me that which I believed I must 
carry to my grave, and from there to the pres- 
ence of my God. If Martin Donnelly be alive, 
I am a free man once more ” 

‘‘ I tell you, Simon, I saw and talked with 


KASKASKIA. 


191 


Martin Donnelly,” Lucas exclaimed impatiently. 
“ What is the meaning of your words ? Why 
have you not always been a free man, save per- 
chance when the savages had you in their 
clutches, as these lads here have told ? ” 

“ Here is the story of a man who came on the 
frontier believing himself a murderer, and doing 
whatsoever he might to atone for a supposed 
crime committed at a moment when anger held 
possession of him. As you know, I was born 
in Fauquier County in 1755, where my father, 
an Irishman, had won for himself by hard labor 
such a home and such a plantation as a poor 
man could survey with pride. Up to the time 
I was sixteen years old there came no thought 
into my mind save to be a planter, and continue 
the work my father had begun. Then I loved 
a girl, the daughter of our nearest neighbor, and 
counted, with the consent of her parents as well 
as mine, on marrying her in due course of time. 
Martin Donnelly came into the district and by 
unfair means, as I did and still claim, won her 


192 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

from me. I met him the day after he was mar- 
ried. He taunted me with what he had done ; 
claimed that an Irish planter in Virginia was of 
so little consequence that the first newcomer 
could take from him whatsoever he had that 
was to be won by fair words, and continued in 
such strain until rage overpowered me. I 
leaped upon him like a panther, using no weap- 
ons ; and with my bare hands pommeled him 
until he lay like one dead. Fear took the place 
of anger ; I tried to rouse him ; but he lay as 
does a corpse, and I, believing myself a mur- 
derer, fled, pursued only by my own conscience, 
across the Alleghanies, where I joined those 
who were pushing forward on the extreme fron- 
tier. Since that day have I shunned the abode 
of all men save those who live remote from any 
settlement. How often I have yearned to see 
my father and mother, there is no need for me 
to say. I dared not go back, believing I would 
be seized and executed as a murderer ; but now 
I am free to do whatsoever I will, and save for 


KASKASKIA. 


193 


the fact that my word binds me to remain as 
scout with Major Clarke until the expedition 
comes to an end with the capture of Vin- 
cennes, I would set oif this hour for the home 
I have dreamed of, but never expected again 
to see.” 

Having thus spoken Simon Kenton walked 
rapidly away up stream, and we three, awed by 
his story, and knowing that at such a time it 
would be best to leave him alone, returned to 
the camp, I for one feeling that however great a 
failure might be Major Clarke’s expedition so 
far as concerned the British outposts, it was 
wondrously successful, inasmuch as through it 
there had been lifted from one man the shadow 
of a great crime. 

Not until nearly nightfall did the scout rejoin 
us, and then all traces of his emotion had van- 
ished. He was much the same person as before, 
and yet entirely different, if I may use so con- 
tradictory an expression. I mean that there 
was no change in his manner so far as could be 

13 


194 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

seen when we spoke of the purpose of our jour- 
ney, or of that which was to be done in the 
future ; but when talking with Paul and me 
there was a gladsome ring in his voice — a certain 
freedom of manner which struck me forcibly, 
and yet might not have been evident to one who 
was unacquainted with all the facts. 

More than once during the evening he re- 
ferred to the day when he was to go back to 
Virginia, and during the remainder of the jour- 
ney it was as if all his future actions were 
marked out with especial reference to that visit, 
only lately become possible. 

T^ot until noon of the following day did the 
first of the flat-boats come in sight, and it was the* 
advice of these hunters from Kaskaskia that we 
set out on the march up the Mississippi without 
delay, lest Monsieur Rocheblave’s spies should 
give that officer timely warning of our coming. 

Immediately Major Clarke came on shore 
Simon Kenton informed him of what we had 
learned, and the four hunters announced their 


KASKASKIA. 


195 


desire to accompany the expedition from this 
point as guides. 

Nothing could have been more favorable to 
the enterprise, and, as may be readily supposed, 
the major did not hesitate to accept their serv- 
ices. 

The volunteers, all good men and tried, were 
speedily acquainted with the facts of the case, 
for in such an enterprise as this the commander 
made no effort to conceal his intentions from 
those who accompanied him, and it was believed 
by every one that no time should be wasted at 
this point on the river. 

When the last boat had rounded-to and made 
fast in front of our camp, we were as well pre- 
pared for the march, in fact, better, than we 
should be twenty-four hours later, and the halt 
was prolonged only until it could be decided by 
all the members of the party how we might 
best set out. 

After a consultation it was decided that the 
boats should be dropped about six miles further 


196 ON THE KENTUCKY FEONTIER. 

down the river to sucli point as would afford 
concealment for them, after which our party 
would begin the march across the wilderness, 
and the last craft had not been made fast half 
an hour before we were under way again, Simon 
Kenton, Paul and I paddling ahead to select a 
spot where we might leave the unwieldy boats 
with some degree of assurance that they would 
remain undiscovered. 

In order that I should be able to tell the story 
of all we two lads did while we were with Simon 
Kenton, it is necessary that much of the detail 
be omitted, else would this poor story run to 
such length that he who attempted to read 
might grow weary in the task. 

Therefore it is that nothing shall be set down 
regarding the march across the wilderness, 
during which we met with no other adventure 
than the capture of one of Pocheblave’s spies, 
whom we met the second day after leaving the 
river. 

It chanced to be the good fortune of us three 


KASKASKIA. I9f 

— meaning Simon Kenton, Paul and myself — 
to come across the fellow while he was cooking 
a fat turkey, and although it was by no means to 
his liking, we forced him to go back with us to 
Major Clarke. He claimed to be an honest 
settler of Kaskaskia, whose sympathies were with 
the struggling colonists ; but John Lucas had 
told us that there were few in the settlement 
thus disposed, and Simon Kenton believed it 
safer to hold him for a certain time, than run 
the chances of letting him go whithersoever he 
would. 

The hunters from the outposts soon settled his 
fate, for they recognized in him one who had 
been most active in inciting the Indians against 
the settlers of Kentucky, and but for Major 
Clarke’s bold stand he would have been put out 
of the world in the quickest possible manner, 
as indeed he should have been, for I counted 
him a more deliberate murderer even than the 
savages, and equally culpable. 

However, we held him close prisoner by tying 


198 ♦ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

him between two of the strongest men, and I 
venture to say that during the remainder of our 
tramp through the wilderness he got a reason- 
ably good idea of how innocent women and 
children fare when they are forced to accompany 
savage captors. 

Our progress was reasonably rapid, and yet 
no precautions were spared to prevent surprise. 

Twenty of the party, among whom were Simon 
Kenton, Paul and myself, remained two miles 
or more in advance of the main body, spreading 
out in what nowadays would be called a skir- 
mish line, and taking exceeding good care that 
nothing escaped our attention. 

It was on the afternoon of the fourth day of 
July when we arrived within a mile of the out- 
post, having every reason to believe that thus 
far Monsieur Kocheblave was ignorant that we 
proposed to deprive him of his command. 

Had it not been for the opportune meeting 
with the four hunters, I question if we should 
have been able to advance secretly thus near; 


KASKASKIA. 


199 


but they, acquainted with all the approaches to 
the settlement, and knowing where we would be 
less likely to attract attention, led ns safely on 
until we were in a good position to begin the 
work on hand. 

Although there were more than four hundred 
in the party, we remained five hours hidden 
almost beside the garrison, and yet no suspicion 
of our presence was aroused. 

None other, save men familiar with frontier 
life, could have accomplished what at this time 
seems to me almost impossible, even though I 
know full well it was done. 

We remained hidden in the thicket, from 
Avhich point we could see the people of the 
settlement as they moved to and fro intent on 
their daily tasks, and yet one might have passed 
within an hundred yards of us without being 
suspicious that so many armed men were in the 
vicinity. 

It was believed, at least by Paul and me, that 
a battle must be fought before we could gain 


ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 


200 

possession of tlae outpost, and perhaps there is 
no need why I should set down here the fact 
that once more was my heart tilled with timor- 
ousness, for by this time it should well be un- 
derstood that whenever danger threatened I 
grew cowardly. 

It was one thing to tight against the Indians 
in the forest where we could find as good shelter 
as they, and quite another to advance in the 
open against a garrison of men equally skilful 
with ourselves in handling a rifle, and protected 
by a stockade. 

I believed, and with good cause, that many 
of as would be sent into another world before 
the sun rose again, and, unless I was willing to 
show my companions how much of a coward I 
had become, I must take my chances of death 
with the others. 

It was by no means cheerful, lying there in 
the thicket, not daring to speak or move lest an 
alarm should be given, and looking forward to 
that struggle which must speedily ensue. 


KASKASKIA. 


201 


Had it been possible to hold converse with 
Paul, then might some subject have been 
brought up which would have changed the cur- 
rent of my thoughts ; but 1 was forbidden even 
to whisper, and it seemed to me then as if be- 
tween us and that stockade so short a distance 
away, death stalked to and fro, awaiting our 
approach. 

It is the coward, and only the coward, who 
reaches out into the future in search of danger. 
The sensible man waits until confronted by the 
peril before giving way to fear, and this was 
proven to me before many hours had passed. 
I suffered ten times more than if we had ad- 
vanced and been severely beaten, and yet, as we 
speedily understood, I had no reason whatsoever 
to thus torture myself. 

When the night came it seemed to me as if 
Major Clarke had forgotten for what purpose 
we were there. 

Peering out from amid the thicket we could 
see that the inhabitants of the settlement had 


202 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

gone to their rest. Two hours after the sun- 
set, the garrison was quiet, and yet our com- 
mander gave no signal. 

Looking forward to wounds, and perhaps 
death, as I did, the moments went by exceed- 
ingly slow, and I came to believe that almost 
any danger would be preferable to this stealthy 
waiting for the signal which should precipitate 
the action. 

Paul, who lay close by my side, seemingly 
gave no heed to the passage of time. Like the 
brave lad I had come to understand him to be, 
he remained apparently indifferent to what the 
future might hold in store for us, gaining the 
repose which would serve him in good stead 
when violent action was required. 

. * It seemed to me as if the night was more than 
half spent when I observed Major Clarke rising 
to his feet, and, as 1 afterwards learned, it was 
no more than nine o’clock. 

The decisive moment had come. If now we 
failed to capture Kaskaskia, then was the ex- 


KASKASKIA. 


203 


pedition a dire failure, and those who did not 
fall beneath the bullets might expect to find 
themselves prisoners in the hands of captors 
who would show but little less mercy than the 
savages. 

Before we had arrived at this hiding-place it 
was decided that the party should be divided 
into five sections, each of which would make 
the attack from a different point, and now that 
the signal had been given the men formed 
themselves into detachments, moving silently 
away in the darkness as had been previously 
agreed upon. 

Simon Kenton, Paul and myself, were among 
those who were to march straight toward the 
stockade from where w^e lay, and therefore we 
made no movement until those who were to 
approach from the opposite side had been given 
time to get into position. Major Clarke himself 
was to lead our division, and although he 
counted on taking the garrison by surprise, I 
believe it was in his mind that if a victory was 


204 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIEIl. 

to be secured, we would pay dearly for it in 

blood. 

Well, I am giving over many words to wbat 
was in itself but a most trifling affair. It only 
re(^uired that we should march up and take the 
garrison, as if all the king’s soldiers there were 
waiting with open arms to receive us in friendly 
fashion. 

When the word to advance was given, our 
portion of the company could see in the gloom 
far away on either hand the different detach- 
ments closing in Upon the stockade, and yet not 
a sound came from those valiant soldiers of the 
king, who instead of guarding the outpost were 
spending their time in slumber. 

Nearer and nearer we advanced, believing all 
the while that in the next second would be 
heard the report of an alarm gun ; but the 
minutes went by, and the silence within the 
stockade was as profound as if none save the 
dead held possession. 

Straight up to the big gate we advanced, and 



Straight, up to tlie gate we advanced, believing that in the next second we 
should hear the alarm gun. - Page 204. On the Kentucky Frontier, 


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KASKASKIA. 


205 


so secure did the garrison feel in the friendship 
of the savages, who thirsted for the blood of 
such white people as were not in the king’s 
favor, that the barrier was not so much as 
closed. 

We entered and had surrounded the com- 
mandant’s quarters before any one of the enemy 
was aware of our presence, and then came the 
alarm. 

A gun was fired at the instant Major Clarke 
stood before the door of Monsieur Rocheblave’s 
house, and the echo of the report had hardly 
died' away before he, followed by a score of 
men, entered the building. 

Standing close by Paul’s side, directly behind 
Simon Kenton, I awaited the beginning of that 
battle which seemed imminent ; yet grown 
somewhat bolder because of the fact that we 
were within the stockade. 

While I remained on the alert, my rifle half 
upraised, there came the word, I know not from 
where, that the commandant had surrendered, 


206 


ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 


and, turning toward us, Simon Kenton said 
much as if he was dissatisfied with this peaceful 
ending of what had promised to be a most difii- 
cult undertaking. 

“ Well, lads, the first of the outposts we 
counted on capturing is ours, and we have not 
been put to the expense of a single charge of 
ammunition.” 

‘‘ Do you mean to say that there will be no 
fighting ? ” I asked in surprise. 

How can there be since Monsieur Roche- 
blave has surrendered ? ” 

“ But we were told there were eighty ‘ men 
here to hold the garrison in the king’s name ? ” 

“ Ay, lad ; but the commander having decided 
that we shall enter into peaceful possession, 
deprives them of a right to make objections. 
Kaskaskia is ours, and it will be a long day be- 
fore the king’s flag be hoisted again. But how 
is this ? One would say you were disap- 
pointed.” 

“ I hardly know whether to laugh or cry.” 


KASKASKIA. 


207 


“ Why should you cry, lad ? •’ 

“ Because during this five hours past have I 
lain in the thicket trembling lest death would 
be my share in this engagement, and he who 
makes of himself such a simple should weep 
because he is so feeble-minded.” 


208 


ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 


CHAPTER X. 

CAHOKIA. 

While we could not rightfully take much 
praise to ourselves for having captured a post 
where no resistance was made, the members of 
Major Clarke’s force, including even Paul and 
myself, looked with triumph upon the exploit, 
bloodless though it had proven to be. 

Surely the king would not have thus lost pos- 
session of his outpost had we, meaning the en- 
tire company, remained at home, and, therefore, 
might we claim that the garrison was now held 
in the name of the province of Virginia solely 
through our efforts. 

As we learned next day from those to whom 
Major Clarke had confided the facts, many of 
Monsieur Rocheblave’s papers had been des- 


CAHOKIA 


209 


troyed by his wife after he was made prisoner, 
for our people did not consider it necessary to 
make a woman captive. She was allowed to re- 
tain possession of the house until morning, and 
during that time burned many papers which 
should have come into our keeping. 

There was not time, however, for her to des- 
troy all Monsieur’s correspondence, and enough 
was found to prove beyond a doubt that he, 
acting under instructions from England, had 
been inciting the Indians to hostilities against 
such of the settlers as dared believe the rebel- 
lious colonists were in the right. 

I believe of a verity our men would have 
wreaked speedy vengeance upon this Frenchman 
who had caused the death and torture of so 
many of our countrymen, but for Major Clarke’s 
presence of mind. 

Immediately after learning that the members 
of the force were aware of the Frenchman’s 
guilt, he detailed twenty of the most reliable 

men — those whom he could trust to carry out 
H 


210 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

his orders to the letter, and sent them in charge 
of Monsieur Rocheblave and his wife to 
Williamsburg in Virginia, that the wicked 
man might be tried for the crimes he had com- 
mitted against defenseless women and children. 

The party set off before noon of the day fol- 
lowing our capture of the garrison, at a time 
when our people were occupied in other direc- 
tions, and thus no act was committed which 
might have brought shame upon us, although I 
hold even now that it would not have been 
wrong had we wiped out Monsieur Eocheblave’s 
crime with his own life, regardless of the fact 
that he, being a prisoner, was entitled to our 
protection. 

He had entertained no such notions of honor 
when he set the savages upon the defenseless 
settlers, knowing full well how much of horrible 
suffering would be caused. 

He left with a whole skin, however, as I know 
full well, since Paul and 1 aided in making 
ready the boat which was to carry the party to 


CAHOKIA. 


m 


the mouth of the Ohio River, from which point 
they would strike across the country to 
Williamsburg. 

The Frenchman’s wife went with him, as a 
matter of course, and I have since tried to Jearn 
what became of the scoundrel, but without suc- 
cess. He deserved hanging, if ever any man did, 
although many people claimed that he was not 
really guilty, since he had but carried out the 
orders given by his superiors. 

Had any of those who pleaded so eloquently 
for his release known what it was to have a 
father tortured to death, as I knew, there would 
have been less said in favor of such a wretch. 

However, that has nothing to do with the 
story of what Paul Sampson and I did and saw 
while we scouted in company Avith Simon 
Kenton. 

When our people learned that Monsieur 
Rocheblave had been sent away with a whole 
skin, for, as I have said, all the preparations for 
his departure Avere made with the utmost 


212 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

secrecy and he and his wife smuggled on board 
the boat, there was something very like mutiny 
in the camp, and Major Clarke had quite as big 
a job to quiet the men as he could well handle ; 
but the volunteers soon settled down quietly, 
promising themselves that the time would come 
when they might have more voice in deciding 
the fate of the Frenchman. 

Having seized the outpost, it was as if Major 
Clarke counted on loitering in Kaskaskia with- 
out making any further effort toward capturing 
the other possessions of the king’s on the Missis- 
sippi River. 

During three days we remained quietly in the 
settlement, amusing ourselves as best we might, 
and many of the company indulged in much 
grumbling because of the inactivity. 

We had come to open the river for our own 
people, they said, and it was little short of a 
Clime to loiter when there were so many garri- 
sons near at hand which should come into our 
possession. 


CAHOKIA. 


213 


Before the three days were passed, however, 
we came to understand our commander’s pur- 
pose, He had not disturbed the French settlers 
whom we found in Kaskaskia ; but, on the con- 
trary, showed his intention of protecting them 
as he would those who were bound to us by ties 
of blood, and the result was that the people be- 
gan to realize how much had been gained by this 
change of governors. 

The savages were no longer welcome to hold 
their hideous pow-wows there, and the soldiers 
could not rob the settlers as had been done when 
Monsieur Bocheblave was in command. In 
every respect the people were the gainers by OTir 
coming, and fully appreciated the fact. 

The next British outpost up the river above 
Kaskaskia, was Cahokia, a settlement where 
considerable trade was carried on, and a deposi- 
tory of British arms for distribution among the 
savages. 

It had been occupied by the Caoquias, a tribe 
of Illinois Indians, long before the discovery of 


214 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

the Mississippi. The French settled there 
shortly after La Salle descended the river, and 
it was said to contain not less than forty families 
in addition to the garrison of about sixty sol- 
diers. 

This was the post Major Clarke had counted 
on capturing when he left Corn Island, and we 
soon came, to know that he had not changed his 
intentions, but was busily engaged perfecting 
his plans at the very time when some of us ac- 
cused him of spending the days in idleness. 

Between these tw’o outposts were three small 
villages which the king claimed as his own, and 
these it would be necessary to capture before 
arriving at the larger settlements. 

When all his arrangements were completed, 
Major Clarke announced that Captain Joseph 
Bowman, the commander of one of the com- 
panies, was to lead the expedition to Cahokia, 
which would consist of about two hundred men, 
while he, Major Clarke, Avith the remainder of 
the force, was to remain at Kaskaskia, and at 


CAHOKIA. 215 

the same time be prepared to keep in check such 
of the Indians nearabout as might take into their 
ugly heads to make trouble for us. 

Now was seen the wisdom of the major’s pro- 
ceedings during such time as we had remained 
in the captured garrison. 

The inhabitants of Kaskaskia had had time 
to realize that they were much better olf under 
the rule of the colonists than that of the king, and 
once this was brought fully home to them, they 
became eager that the other outposts on the 
river should experience the same change of gov- 
ernment. 

Therefore, instead of secretly sending scouts 
ahead to warn these villages through which we 
must pass, the people of the post begged per- 
mission to accompany the volunteers, claiming 
that by relating what had occurred in their own 
settlement they could quickly bring the others 
to terms, thereby preventing bloodshed, and do- 
ing a favor to their neighbors at the same time 
they benefited themselves. 


216^' ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

As Simon Kenton put it : ‘‘ Once they knew 
that the Americans were prepared to take 
possession of America — -or such portion of it as 
came in their way — the one desire was that the 
rule of the king might be wiped out speedily, 
which was good sense, inasmuch as both parties 
could not hold portions of the river without 
coming to blows.” 

If these people whose settlements we had 
taken without striking a blow could have had 
their way, every outpost now garrisoned by 
men who gave allegiance to the king would be 
speedily in our possession, and while the temper 
of the people was at this point, the proper time 
had come to push the advantage. 

When it was announced that among those 
who would set out under command of Captain 
Bowman would be the scout Kenton and his 
two companions, I had no misgivings. 

The anguish of mind that had been mine with 
so little cause just before we surprised the Kas- 
kaskia garrison had taught me a lesson, and, in 


CaHOICIA. 21 Y 

addition, I believed that we would continue our 
march in the same bloodless, triumphant fashion 
as it had been begun. 

And in this I was not mistaken. 

Lest I draw out this story to too great length, 
setting down facts which strangers may think 
are of no importance in the history of our taking 
possession of the Mississippi River, I shall go 
straight ahead toward the end without stopping 
here to relate what at the time seemed to us of 
considerable importance, or to explain how Paul 
and I acted or felt under certain trying and dis- 
agreeable circumstances. 

Simon Kenton was to have charge of the 
advance portion of the force which Captain 
Bowman led. That is to say, if we were speak- 
ing of such maneuvers at this day, we should 
say that Simon Kenton was in command of the 
skirmishers, and, as a matter of course, Paul 
Sampson- and I played the part, however poorly, 
of his assistants. 

We, and I am now speaking not only of us 


218 ON THE KWWCKY FRONTIER, 

three who called ourselves scouts, but twelve or 
fifteen mor who were ordered to join us, set 
out from KaskasMa on the morning of the 8th 
of July, about two hours in advance of the main 
force, with the understanding that it was our 
duty to capture such spies as might be met, or 
to fall back in case we were confronted by any 
considerable number of savages. 

Well, we began the sixty-mile tramp in good 
spirits, and when, late on that same day we 
were come within hailing distance of the first 
small settlement that lay on the road, our 
march had been no more than a pleasure ex- 
cursion. 

Neither spy nor Indian had we seen, and I 
believe that eighteen or twenty men could have 
taken possession of this village belonging to the 
king, by force of arms, had it been necessary, 
without any very serious trouble. 

But the orders were for us to halt until the 
main body should come up, and this we did, 
whereupon those settlers from the captured post 


CAHOKIA. 


219 


advanced to hold a parley with the occupants 
of this clearing. 

It was not a lengthy conference. After those 
who had so lately recognized Monsieur Eoche- 
blave as their governor, explained to these other 
settlers the advantages to be gained, the village 
was ours. 

We had simply to walk in as honored guests, 
and the American flag was hoisted in token that 
they no longer held themselves as subjects of the 
king. 

And the story of our successful advance thus 
far was the same as must be told from this 
point. 

AVe marched into two other villages, our allies 
from Kaskaskia going ahead to pave the way, 
and left the settlers, while we continued on up 
the river, as brothers rather than enemies. 

Three villages hoisted our flag in token of 
their sympathy with and desire to aid the colo- 
nists, and then we were come, at the close of the 
third day, near to Cabokia, the post, as I have 


220 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

said, of no mean importance, and garrisoned by 

sixty soldiers. 

Here at least did Paul Sampson and I believe 
our entrance would be opposed ; but as before. 
Captain Bowman sent our allies ahead, and we 
came into the trading village where the king had 
deposited large quantities of arms for barter with 
the Indians, having met with no opposition, and 
being received right generously. 

The people greeted us with huzzas when we 
marched into the stockade, behind our allies, 
and were equally as enthusiastic on being told 
by Captain Bowman that they must take the 
oath of allegiance to the colony of Virginia. 

The purpose for which our force had left Corn 
Island was accomplished in the capture of 
Cahokia, for this post was really the last which 
Major Clarke had claimed it might be possible 
. to reduce. 

It is true he had mentioned Vincennes in his 
plans to the authorities of Virginia; but, as we 
. understood from Simon Kenton while we laid 


CAHOKIA. 


221 


here at Cahokia, the gariison on the Wabash 
River was not to be attacked unless it might be 
done with reasonable assurance of success. 

Now this outpost of Vincennes was one of the 
first settlements formed in the valley of the Miss- 
issippi. It was occupied by the French emi- 
grants as early as 1735, and called post St. 
Vincent. In 1745, the name of Vincennes was 
given to it in honor of F. M. de Vincennes, a 
gallant and much respected French officer who 
was killed in the battle with the ChickaSaws 
in 1736. ^ 

It was the most important post in the valley, 
but whether it was to be attacked, we who 
were at Cahokia could not even so much as 
guess. 

Simon Kenton believed our portion of the 
work would end here, arguing that Major Clarke 
must leave a garrison both at Kaskaskia and 
Cahokia in order to hold the stockades, and by 
so doing his little army would be greatly weak- 
ened ; so that he could hardly hope for a victory 


222 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

if it chanced that we were obliged to resort to 

force in order to gain possession. 

“ Accordin’ to my way of thinkin’, lads, our 
work is done,” the scout said, late on that night 
after we took possession of Cahokia. “ There’s 
naught left us to do save retrace our steps, for 
I should guess that you were not minded to re- 
main in either of these settlements as members 
of the garrison.” 

“Indeed we are not,” I replied promptly. 
“My mother awaits me at Corn Island, and 
unless she decides to go back to the land which 
my father cleared, I must set about making a 
home for her.” 

“ I have no wish to remain,” Paul added. 
“ It may not be that my father needs me ; but 
I have a mother in Maryland, and service in a 
garrison is not pleasing. If, as you believe, the 
work laid out for Major Clarke has been accom- 
plished, Louis Nelson and I will return with 
you, if it so be you are going back.” 

“ Indeed I am, my boy,” Simon Kenton re- 


CAHOKIA. 


223 


plied with the air of one who anticipates much 
pleasure in the future. Now that there is no 
longer a shadow over me, I am as eager to find 
my father and my mother as are you lads to 
meet yours.” 

“ When shall we return ? ” I asked, for now 
that the homeward journey was being consid- 
ered, I, who really had no home, was eager to 
begin it. 

“ It was understood between Major Clarke 
and myself that I might be at liberty to turn 
back whenever Captain Bowman should state 
he no longer required my services, and I reckon, 
lads, that the time has come. Waif you here until 
I learn what he has to say regardin’ the matter.” 

Within an hour it was decided that we three 
were to carry Captain Bowman’s repoif to 
Major Clarke, and when I lay down to sleep 
that night it was with the knowledge that at 
the first light of dawn we would begin the sixty- 
mile journey, counting on making it within four- 
and-twenty hours with but little labor, since 


224 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

from this point we could proceed in a canoe, 

aided by the swiftly running current. 

We set out as had been decided upon, one of 
the settlers in Cahokia willingly lending us a 
dugout, with the understanding that we should 
leave it at Kaskaskia to be returned whenever 
opportunity offered, and before midnight Simon 
Kenton was giving to Major Clarke the account 
of our successes. 

We remained three days longer at this post ; 
but all that happened which concerned us three 
may be told in few words. 

It was decided that all save those who chose 
to remain to man the garrisons might return 
whenever it pleased them, and, knoAving that 
fifty or more Avho had left relatives on Corn 
Island Avere counting on going back soon, we 
three Avaited for them in order that our force 
iniglit be so large as to deter the saAmges \vho 
were possibly lurking about the banks of the 
Ohio Kiver, from making an attack. 

When three days had passed, hoAvever, 


CAHOKIA. 


225 


found that none of the men were disposed to 
begin quite so soon what would doubtless prove 
an arduous undertaking, and Simon Kenton 
laid the matter before us by saying : 

Lads, I am eager to get back into Fauquier 
County. If it so be you have no stomach for 
layin’ around here eatin’ the bread of idleness 
suppose we start to-morrow mornin’ ? There is 
nothin’ to keep us, and much to incline our 
hearts toward the journey.” 

Unless I have utterly failed in making it 
appear here that I had a great affection for my 
mother, it can readily be understood how we 
answered the scout, and without delay we set 
about the few necessary preparations for the 
voyage, determined to leave Kaskaskia before 
daylight next morning. 

And now at this point let me copy what I 
read many years later regarding Vincennes : 

“ The stronger and more important post of 
Vincennes, situate on the east bank of the Wa- 
bash Kiver, one hundred miles above its entrance 

15 


226 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

into the Ohio, was yet unsubdued, and Major 
Clarke felt that the object of his mission would 
be but half accomplished if he did not gain 
possession of that place. It was necessary to 
garrison Kaskaskia and Cahokia in order to re- 
tain them, and to do this would so weaken his 
little army that he could scarcely hope for vic- 
tory in an attack upon Vincennes, unless he 
should be as successful in effecting a surprise as 
he had in capturing the posts already in his 
possession. While thus perplexed and doubt- 
ing which course to pursue, he communicated 
his desires to Father Gabault, a French priest, 
who agreed to bring those inhabitants of Vin- 
cennes over whom he had pastoral charge, to 
the support of the American cause. The in- 
fluence of the priest was successful ; the inhab- 
itants arose in the night and cast off their alle- 
giance to the British, expelled the garrison from 
the fort, and pulled down the English standard. 
The American flag floated in triumph over the 
ramparts in the morning.” 


CAHOKIA. 227 

All this was done before we three were come 
again to Corn Island, and I question if the Brit- 
ish king ever lost more territory at a less cost 
in blood, either on the part of those who made 
the capture or the hirelings who should have 
held the garrisons, than in this expedition of 
Major Clarke’s into the valley of Mississippi. 

I am now come to be an old man, and yet 
since that time have heard but little spoken 
concerning the achievements of Major Clarke 
and his force of four hundred, when the most 
fertile portion of the Mississippi Eiver was taken 
from the Britishers and made a portion of the 
American colonies. 

We had done our work well, as it seemed to 
me then and does now, although in the telling 
of it there is none of that clash of arms and 
cheers of triumph which have accompanied far 
smaller achievements. 

And here would my story properly end but 
for the fact that we three must make the jour- 
ney down the Mississippi to the Ohio, following 


228 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

the course of this last uoble river on foot, be- 
cause we could not well stem the current in a 
canoe, through a country infested by savage 
enemies, who would use every effort to take 
our lives. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


229 


CHAPTER XI. 

HOMEWARD BOUND. 

We spent no time in leave-taking after once 
having made ready for the journey. It was as 
if we three formed a separate command, and had 
no comrades among the main body of the volun- 
teers, therefore it was not necessary we should 
say good-by. 

Simon Kenton was to carry up the Ohio cer- 
tain papers with which Major Clarke had en- 
trusted him, and once these were in his posses- 
sion there was nothing to detain us at Kaskaskia. 

We took our departure from the post a full 
half hour before daybreak, when none save the 
sentinels were there to see us push off from the 
shore, and allowed the canoe to drift down the 
river until we were come to the Ohio. 


2^0 the KENTUCKY ERONTIEE. 

It ^vollld be more laborious to paddle the 
dugout against the swift current than to walk, 
and we had already decided to make our way 
through the wilderness on foot, ever keeping 
within a short distance of the river, where we 
might expect to get the earliest information if 
the savages were moving about bent on mischief. 

We came to a halt at a point where we waited 
for the flat-boats on the journey down, and here 
a day was spent in procuring and cooking meat, 
for Simon Kenton had decided that once the 
long tramp was really begun we would push 
forward at the best possible pace. It was 
reasonable to believe that in a short time we 
would have arrived at that portion of the coun- 
try where it might not be well to discharge a 
rifle simply for the purpose of killing game. 

We did not expect to make the journey with- 
out some danger of coming across small parties 
of the painted brutes who thirsted for the blood 
of white people ; but it was not in our thoughts 
that we should encounter any serious dangers. 


homeward bound. 231 

The worst of the tramp, so we believed, might 
be the labor of pushing on through the under- 
brush until the many miles which lay between 
us and Corn Island had been traversed. 

Simon Kenton was in particularly good humor 
on that morning when, all our preparations com- 
pleted, we left the camping-place with our faces 
turned toward the north, and I was exceedingly 
happy, for at the end of the journey my mother 
was waiting to greet me. 

During two full days we pressed steadily 
onward, seeing nothing to cause alarm, and 
making reasonably good progress, and then came 
that which threatened a fatal ending to what 
had been a most successful journey. 

We encamped on the second night in a small 
thicket of scrub where the foliage was so dense 
that the chill night wind was shut out as com- 
pletely as if we had been within four walls of 
stout logs, and felt so secure that Simon Kenton 
himself had proposed we build a light blaze to 
cook a turkey we had just killed. 


ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

The meat was roasted, and we ate such a 
supper as can be enjoyed only by those who 
have performed a full day’s labor, and after the 
meal was come to an end Paul and I fell asleep 
even as we sat before the fire. 

How long we were thus unconscious I am 
unable to say ; but it seemed to me as if I had 
no more than crossed the borders of dreamland 
before I was awakened by the pressure of a 
heavy hand over my mouth. 

In the forest one becomes accustomed to 
awakening quickly, and without starting up. 

When the eyes are open the first thought is 
as to the reason for thus being aroused, and due 
heed is given to all the surroundings before any 
movement is made. 

Therefore it was I understood at once that 
Simon Kenton’s hand was covering my mouth, 
and that he was hurriedly burying the light 
embers with ashes. 

Pressing his arm to let him know I was thor^ 
oughly aroused, I rose to a sitting posture. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 233 

No sound broke the stillness of the night, 
for, sheltered as we were by the scrub, even the 
moaning of the wind failed to reach our ears. 

Kenton was awakening Paul, and he, brave 
lad, made as little disturbance on thus being 
aroused as if all his life had been spent on the 
frontier. 

It was to my mind a certainty that the scout 
had heard or seen savages, and I drew up my 
rifle to assure myself it was in proper working 
order. 

It is by no means soothing to the nerves to be 
thus aroused and forced to remain on the alert 
in ignorance of what threatens. I know of no 
situation more trying, and while I inwardly 
trembled with apprehension, my eyes sought 
out Paul in the gloom to learn how he was bear- 
ing up under what many old, experienced 
hunters have told me was, in their opinion, the 
most trying of all border warfare. 

The lad sat silent and motionless, his rifle in 
hand, and though it was impossible to distin- 


234 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

giiisli his features, I knew full well he was as 
calm and placid as when we remained concealed 
in the thicket just beyond the stockade at Kas- 
kaskia, when I believed a desperate battle was 
before us. 

Dui’ing perhaps half an hour we three re- 
mained in the same position as when first hav- 
ing been awakened, and then Simon Kenton be- 
gan to creep cautiously out through the under- 
brush, having first motioned for us to remain 
(|uiet. 

He was bent on learning what had alarmed 
him, and but for advertising myself as a coward, 
1 would have insisted, as well as I might by 
gestures, upon his remaining with us, for to me, 
almost anything was preferable to separation. 

I checked the impulse, however, but moved 
closer to Paul, and he, dear lad, pressed my 
hand as if to give me courage. 

That he, whom 1 had at the outset considered 
the weakest of the party, should be the one to 
encourage, shamed me, and I threw off his hand 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


235 


as if in anger, when in reality it was nothing 
save nervous fear which prompted the move- 
ment. 

As nearly as I could judge, Simon Kenton 
had been absent ten minutes before we heard 
anything whatsoever, and then the report of a 
musket, followed by a scream of pain, caused 
the blood to bound in my veins. 

Instinctively I leaped to my feet when I 
should have remained motionless, and Paul laid 
hold of the skirt of my hunting-shirt as if fear- 
ing I might be counting on rushing out. 

One, two, three minutes passed, during which 
time the most absolute silence reigned, and then 
a slight rustling of the branches told that the 
scout was returning. 

I breathed more freely, knowing he was not 
the one who had given vent to that cry of pain, 
and stepped forward to learn how serious was 
the danger which threatened. 

“We have run across thirty or more reptiles 
—most likely the same that were met while 


236 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

coming down tlie river,” he whispered in my 
ear as I bent forward eager for information. 

“ Why did you fire ? ” I asked, believing for 
the moment that by such act he had told them 
where we lay concealed. 

‘‘ They had learned where we were, and now 
completely surround us. It’s a case of fightin’ 
our way out, lad, if we count on gainin’ Corn 
Island. It is better to make a move at once, 
than wait till they are ready to close in on us.” 

I understood by these words that Kenton be- 
lieved the situation to be most dangerous, other- 
wise he would not have suggested Ave make a 
move in the night when the savages Avould have 
a great advantage over us, and, as usual in such 
cases, my heart grew cowardly once more. 

While I stood there undecided the scout hur- 
riedly repeated to Paul that Avhich he had told 
me, and I saw the lad rise to his feet without 
hesitation. He was even then, as he has since 
many times proven himself, my superior in all 
that goes to make up a frontiersmo-m 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 237 

“ Follow me,” Kenton whispered, ‘‘and when 
you are forced to fire, see to it there be no delay 
in re-loadin’ yoar rifle. Accordin’ to my way 
of thinkin’ we’ll have to fight ourselves through 
this gang, an’ the more we disable ’twixt now 
an’ night the easier will be our work to-mOrrow.” 

There was in my mind the thought that we 
were now 'where we mijst keep up a running 
fight until one party or the other was shot down, 
and, considering the fact that they outnumbered 
us at least ten to one, it seemed most likely ours 
would be the side that went under. 

When danger comes close upon me I forget 
my cowardice, as a rule^ and so it was now. 
There seemed little chance we could fight our 
way through Avhere were so many to oppose tis, 
and the odds were all in favor of the savages. 

Eealizing this fully, as I believe Simon Kenton 
did also, I ceased to think of the cause I had 
for fear, but set my teeth hard, resolving to give 
the painted wolves good reason to remember 
me after they had shot us down. 


238 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

Simon Kenton was not disposed to linger ; he 
understood of what advantage in a fight is the 
first blow, and was eager to deal it. 

He waited only long enough to assure himself 
we two lads were ready for the hot work before 
us, and then turned to leave the hiding-place 
which, as he had said, was already surrounded. 

Paul would have brought up the rear, but 
that I held the position as belonging to me. 
Surely a lad who had always lived in towns 
could not reasonably expect to be allowed such 
a post of danger when there were others with a 
right to claim it. 

That the savages were keeping a keen watch 
we knew instantly Simon Kenton stepped out- 
side the dense thicket, for then came the report 
of a rifle, and a bullet whistled past my head so 
near that I could feel the “ wind ” of its flight. 

It was a queer act, when the darkness was so 
intense that one could not distinguish an object 
twenty paces away, yet instinctively we three 
darted behind the nearest trees for shelter, and 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


239 


there stood straining our eyes in the hope of 
being able to discover a living target. 

It was like looking into a deep well, to peer 
ahead, and all three of us must have understood 
at the same instant that it was little less than 
folly to remain there with any hope of sending 
a bullet home, for Paul had just turned to con- v 
tinue the flight when Simon Kenton whispered 
to me : 

“We cannot benefit ourselves by remainin’ 
here. The best plan is to continue on up river, 
makin’ as many miles as possible before day- 
light.” 

Having said this he darted forward, forcing 
Paul to fall into line behind him, and I came 
close at the latter’s heels. 

Now was begun the oddest fight ever seen on 
the Ohio River. 

We three were pressing forward as if it would 
advantage us much to gain a few extra miles 
before morning, and the savages followed cau- 
tiously, firing at random now and then, although 


240 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

they could not hope a single bullet would take 

effect. 

Several times we halted in the hope that the 
reptiles, thinking only of overtaking us, might 
come up within shooting distance ; but they 
were too wary to be caught by any trick of 
that kind. 

Whenever we came to a full stop it was as if 
all nature ceased breathing, for we could not 
hear the lightest whisper amid the foliage, and 
when the flight had continued in such fashion 
for an hour or more, Simon Kenton said as we 
stood side by side listening intently for some 
token of the villains : 

‘‘ We Avon’t get a fair shot at them until day- 
light, an’ then they’ll have the same chance at 
us. I reckon Ave’d better make all the distance 
Ave can Avhile it is dark, an’ then lay by Avhen 
the sun rises.” 

To my mind it could benefit us but little if 
we approached a feAV miles nearer our destina- 
tion, for unless these wretches could be beaten 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


241 

back within a reasonably short time, they would 
succeed in killing us before we could come with- 
in fifty miles of the point we most desired to 
gain. 

However, while holding death at bay for a 
few hours more or less we might as well have 
our faces turned in the right direction, and I 
was ready to do whatsoever the scout suggested, 
for, as I have said, fear had fled from me now 
that our position was so desperate. 

We alternately drove ahead at full speed, and 
stopped to take breath. The Indians fired at 
random now and^Eben,^ hoping that the sound of 
our footsteps might serve as guide ; but they 
inflicted no more injury on us by shooting, than 
we did on them while we refrained from dis- 
charging our weapons. 

In such manner was the night passed. We 
had not fired a shot, while the painted crew 
in pursuit had wasted twenty bullets or 
more. 

Having walked all day, this severe exertion 

i6 


242 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

throughout the night wearied me excessively, 
and when the first gray light of coming dawn 
filtered through the foliage, it seemed to me as 
if I was on the verge of exhaustion. 

The labor had told even on Simon Kenton, 
and Paul was keeping the pace only through 
sheer force of will-power. 

It was a wondrous relief to me when the scout 
pointed ahead to what appeared to be a dense 
growth of bushes, through which ran a tiny 
stream, as he said : 

“ I reckon we’ll find no better place in which 
to make a stand, than there.” 

“ Almost anything will please me so that we 
come to a halt speedily, for I’m well-nigh 
winded,” I replied, speaking with difficulty be- 
cause of my heavy breathing, and in another 
instant we three stood facing each other in the 
thicket, where as yet the light of a new day had 
not penetrated. 

The savages might not approach very near 
during the darkness without taking more risks 


Homeward bound. 24^ 

than such reptiles fancied, and during a certain 
time we need not fear molestation. 

Paul and I flung ourselves at full length on 
the ground, for in no other position did it seem 
possible to recover from the exhaustion which 
beset us ; but Simon Kenton remained standing 
at a spot from where he could have a view 
of some portion of our surroundings when the 
sun had dispelled the gloom. 

“ I suppose there is good reason to believe the 
Indians wall kill us before we can arrive at 
Corn Island ? ” Paul said in a tone of one asking 
a question, after he had recovered his breath 
sufficiently to speak, and Simon Kenton replied 
quietly. 

“ Two or three such races as we have had 
this night should give them good cause for dis- 
couragement.” 

‘‘ It is a question whether they or we are 
getting the worst of this business,” I added, 
trying to speak calmly, as had my comrades ; 
but making a bad job of it. 


244 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

“ Twenty-four hours is a long stretch,” Paul 
said thoughtfully, “ and it’s all I can do to keep 
my eyes open.” 

“ Go to sleep, lad,” Kenton cried. “We 
must contrive to get some rest ’twixt now an’ 
night, an’ if you two take a nap at once I’ll 
have a chance later.” 

It may seem strange that boys should be able 
to sleep under such circumstances as these, and 
yet the permission had no sooner been given by 
the scout than I was stretched out at full length, 
my eyes closing despite all efforts to keep them 
open. 

The report of a rifle, discharged near at 
hand, awakened me, and I looked around to see 
the scout reloading his rifle. 

“ Did you wing your bird ? ” I asked sleep- 
ily. 

“ I hope never to use this ’ere piece again if I 
didn’t. The sneak has been wrigglin’ his way 
toward us for the last ten minutes, an’ I only 
waited to let him believe he was keepin’ his red 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 245 

carcass out of. sight, although I marked it 
plainly from the instant he started.” 

“ Have you seen the others ? ” 

“ Yes, now an’ then through the bushes ; but 
not in such a fashion as I wanted in order to 
get a good aim. They’ve camped down some- 
where near that big gum tree yonder, needin’ 
rest as much as we did, I reckon.” • 

“ How long have I been asleep ? ” 

“ Three hours or more.” 

“ Then it’s time you took a turn at it,” and I 
rose to my feet, Paul rising up at the same time. 

Simon Kenton insisted that we lie down 
again ; but it was to me as if the repose had 
been sufficiently long, so thoroughly was I 
awakened, and after a short discussion he did 
as 1 suggested. 

It is needless for me to set down all that was 
done or said during the remainder of this long 
day. 

Kenton slept a full four hours, and during 
that time we had fired twice at the skulking 


246 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

reptiles as they flitted from one tree to another, 
feeling certain that some of the bullets had 
taken effect. 

Then the scout ordered us to get more sleep, 
nor would he listen to my assertions that I was 
fully recovered from the fatigue which had be- 
set me so sorely. 

‘‘ You have another long race before you, an’ 
stand in need of more sleep if you count on 
holdin’ such a pace as I shall set from the goin’ 
down of the sun till it rises again.” 

“ How long do you expect bein’ able to keep up 
such a flight ? ” Paul asked quietly, as if it was 
a matter in which he had no great interest. 

“ So far we seem to be doin’ rather better 
than holdin’ our own, an’ I reckon we’d best 
keep up the game. At least three of the painted 
snakes are feelin’ the worse for havin’ begun 
this little chase, an’ we’re as sound as ever.” 

It was on my tongue’s end to say that we 
could not hope for the same good fortune dur- 
ing another night of racing through the forest 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


m 

wien it was too dark to distinguisli anything 
not directly in our path ; but I checked myself 
in time, for no good could come of speaking dis- 
piriting words while we were in such a desper- 
ate situation. 

We two lads lay down again to sleep, in ac- 
cordance with Kenton’s command ; but were 
aroused for a few moments when the scout dis- 
charged his rifle, and I heard him mutter to 
himself : 

‘‘ That makes the fourth to-day, an’ if we can 
keep up this play two nights more, they may 
come to belie \re that the game is not worth the 
candle.” 

Sleepily I thought we might find before many 
hours had passed that all the shooting was not 
to be done by us ; but the idea was no more 
than in mind when my eyes closed again, and I 
was not conscious of the surroundings until 
Kenton shook me roughly. 

“ It’s time we pushed ahead once more,” he 
said in a whisper as I seized my rifle, believing 


24S ON THE ItENTtJCKY FRONTIER, 

the savages were about to make a determined 
attack, and he added with a low laugh, “ There’s 
no more danger threatenin’ than when you was 
last awake, lad ; but the night is well on us, an’ 
we should be movin’.” 

He awakened Paul, and the little lad rose to 
his feet ready for any emergency ; but speaking 
not a word. 

We had yet some portion of our meat, and 
from this a hurried meal was made, after which 
Simon Kenton showed himself ready to set out 
once more on Avhat I believed was a fruitless 
journey, for it did not seem possible we would 
live to finish it. 

It was like a nightmare, that race through the 
thicket with the murderous fiends close on our 
trail, shooting now and then when in the gloom 
the waving branches told of our course. 

Kenton kept his word, so far as setting a 
rapid pace was concerned. Never before nor 
since have 1 strained every muscle and nerve 
for so many hours on a stretch. 


HOMEWARD BOUND. 


240 


There were times when we pressed on as if 
running a foot-race, and more than once did one 
or the other of us come full against a tree with 
such force that we were hurled backward at 
full length on the ground. 

There was no time to attend to bruises, how- 
ever severe, for close in our rear came the re- 
lentless brutes, hoping, most likely, for just 
such a mishap when they could lessen our num- 
ber by one. 

I believe they fired at us fifty times before 
we halted for a day’s rest which must be spent 
in defending ourselves, and by the mercy of God 
no bullet came nigh us. 

I watched eagerly for the first signs of dawn ; 
my breath was coming thick and fast, and I 
feared les’t I might fall and not find myself able 
to rise again. 

Paul had kept close at Kenton’s heels with- 
out betraying fatigue or distress ; but just at the 
moment when it seemed as if I must halt, what- 
ever might be the consequences, he cried sharply : 


250 ON THE KEMTUCltY FROOTIES. 

‘‘ I can go no further. You two must keep 
on without me ! It is better that I be left be- 
hind than for all to perish ! ” 

“ We’ll all come out of it with whole skins, 
or fall together,” Simon Kenton said sharply. 
“ Try to hold the pace, lad, till we find a place 
in which we can defend ourselves.” 

Even as he spoke we had arrived at a spot 
where half a dozen large trees had been over- 
thrown by the wind, forming exactly the kind 
of a fortification needed by those sorely beset 
as were we. 

Kenton helped Paul over the logs into the 
very center, and I followed with many a 
stumble, falling on my face, utterly blown, when 
we were in the middle of the timber network. 


A NOVEL BATTLE. 


251 


CHAPTER XIL 

A NOVEL BATTLE. 

It was yet so dark in the forest that one iiriist 
needs strain his eyes to distinguish objects ten 
paces in advance, therefore it can be readily 
understood how near to us were the howling 
wolves, when I say that they set up a shout of 
mingled triumph and menace as we thus brought 
the race to a close. 

It was evident they believed we were now in 
their power, and indeed there was much the 
same thought in my mind when I had aroused 
from the stupor of exhaustion •sufficiently to 
take note of our surroundings. 

Simon Kenton had led us into the midst of a 
pile of fallen timber overgrown with vines and 
young bushes, which covered a space of perhaps 
an hundred square feet. It was a place of ref- 


252 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

uge which stood in a partially cleared spot, and 
might readily be surrounded, while, to make 
our way out, it would be necessary to offer one’s 
body as a target to whomsoever might be on 
watch. 

In the gloom of the morning it had appeared 
to be a better place for defense than really was 
the case, and 1 question if the scout would 
have halted here had he understood what it 
really was. 

While we remained in the very center of the 
mass we were screened from view, and could 
see a goodly portion of all that might be going 
on around us ; but when that has been said all 
the advantages of the place have been de- 
scribed. 

In order to get out of it, once we were in- 
side, it would be necessary, as I have already 
said, to expose ourselves to the fire of the 
enemy, and before many hours should elapse 
we would be forced to take to our heels unless 
we were minded to die of hunger or thirst. 


A NOVEL BATTLE. 


253 


We no longer had any food with us, and 
there was not a drop of water nearer than the 
river. Already it seemed as if my mouth was 
parched to the point of swelling, and because it 
was beyond my reach, I longed most intensely 
for something to quench thirst. 

The knowledge of our situation, as I have set 
it down here, came upon me immediately after 
I recovered slightly from the effects of the 
fatigue caused by the swift race, and, looking 
into Simon Kenton’s face, I knew full well he 
had become aware of our disagreeable situa- 
tion. 

Little Paul Sampson, plucky lad that he had 
proven himself to be, was the only one who 
appeared indifferent to the danger. 

When it was possible for him to sit upright, 
for he had been more nearly exhausted than I 
was, instead of trying to discover all the disadvan- 
tages of the place, he began to do his share to- 
ward the defense by crawling beneath the fallen 
timber until he could cottimand a good view of 


ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 


254 

that portion of the forest from which we had 
come, and at the same time screen his own body 
from those who were most likely searching with 
their keen eyes for a living target. 

I believe Simon Kenton read from my face 
the thoughts which were in my mind, for he 
said slowly, as if weighing well each word : 

“It must be a battle rather than simply a 
time of defense. We can hold our position 
without any great sufferin’ for four-an’-twenty 
hours ; but at the end of that time there’s bound 
to be a change if we count on seein’ Corn 
Island again.” 

“ How will you bring about a battle unless 
the savages are disposed to give us the chance ? ’’ 
I asked petulantly. “ They can remain under* 
cover any length of time, and yet keep us in 
view. It isn’t a case of starvation with them.” 

“ A man is never beaten until he loses hope,” 
the scout replied cheerily, and the words were 
no more than spoken before Paul’s rifle rang 
out sharply. 


A NOVEL BATTLE. 255 

There’s one the less ! ” the lad cried trium- 
phantly. “ They’re creeping up to get a shot 
at us, an’ we’ve only to keep our eyes open in 
order to lessen their number greatly ’twixt now 
and sunrise.” 

These brave words brought me out of my fit 
of despondency in a twinkling, and with a 
sense of shame that this lad from the east 
should show himself more of a man than my- 
self, I crept down to the edge of our barricade. 

Now we three lay where could be had a view 
of all our surroundings, and during the next 
hour, at the end of which time the sun was 
sending long shafts of light through the open- 
ings in the forest, we succeeded in sending five 
of the scoundrels to their happy hunting- 
grounds, or back under cover disabled by 
serious wounds. 

Such a beginning gave me great courage, until 
I came to realize that it was not probable the 
reptiles would expose themselves so readily after 
having received such a sharp lesson, 

1 . 


256 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

Simon Kenton had evidently made up his 
mind to some course of action which promised 
success, for he said cheerily when it was certain 
the red snakes had withdrawn to a safe 
distance : 

“You two lads are to bottle up some sleep 
now, for unless I’m mistaken we shall make a 
change of quarters by sunset.” 

“ There’s little hope they’ll let us go out of 
here with our lives,” I replied despondently, 
and the scout added sharply : 

“ Thus far we have no reason to complain, 
an’ we won’t prove ourselves fools by lookin’ 
into the future for trouble. Get to sleep, lads, 
for at noon I shall claim the same privilege.” 

Weary as we were, it was not a difficult task 
to close our eyes in slumber, and within five 
minutes from the giving of the order we were 
sleeping soundly, not to awaken until the sun 
was directly overhead, when the scout shook 
us into wakefulness. 

“You’ve had a good six hours of rest, an’ I’m 


A NOVEL BATTLE. 


257 


countin’ on scoopin’ in only three. Keep a 
sharp watch till the afternoon is half spent, an’ 
then rouse me.” 

“ Why should you not sleep as long as we 
have ? ” I asked as Paul crept through the logs 
to where he could best have a view of our sur- 
roundings. 

“ Because then will have come the time when 
we must make ready for such a battle as will 
satisfy yonder brutes that it is not safe to run 
down three white men with the idea of cor- 
nerin’ them in a forest like this.” 

Without explaining what he proposed to do, 
Simon Kenton betook himself to his well-earned 
rest, and we lads stood guard to the best of our 
ability. 

♦ 

Three hours passed in silence, and during 
that time we had nobseen even a tuft of feathers 
to betoken the whereabouts of an enemy. 

By allowing my mind to dwell upon the dis- 
agreeable fact that we were without food or 
water, I was suffering intensely from both 

17 


258 ON THE KENTUCKY FKONTIER. 

hunger and thirst, and because of thus yielding 
free rein to imagination, I was dispirited and 
hopeless. 

Paul took it upon himself to arouse the scout, 
and once Kenton’s eyes were open he set about 
bringing on the battle of which he had spoken. 

A few moments’ work with our knives sufficed 
to provide each of us with a long pole, and then 
he explained his plan. 

According to his orders, we were to lie on the 
ground with our rifles ready for use, and with 
the poles make such a rustling of the foliage as 
would cause the enemy to believe we were 
creeping out. 

It would be but natural the savages should 
fire whenever they saw a swaying of the bushes 
or branches ; but, because of the length of the 
poles, we would not be near enough to the 
point of disturbance to run any great chance of 
being hit by the bullets. 

Kenton had given the name of “ battle ” to this 
maneuver of his ; but it was neither more nor 



From out of our barricade whistled three bullets, and every one found its mark. 

Page 259. On the Kentucky Frontier. 




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A NOVEL BATTLE. 


259 


less than a trick, and such an one as the savages 
themselves most delighted in. 

They had no good cause to be joyous over 
this one, however, for it worked as Kenton had 
counted on, and before the painted wolves under- 
stood the game, they had received a lesson such 
as I warrant they never forgot. 

When the three of us were in position Simon 
Kenton gave the signal, and we prodded vigor- 
ously with the poles. 

In a twinkling half a dozen rifles were dis- 
charged from different points amid the foliage, 
thus showing that the enemy was keeping sharp 
watch, and we each had a target. 

From out of our barricade whistled three 
bullets, and every one found its mark ! 

It was only with difiiculty that I repressed a 
cry of triumph, for now I began to understand 
that we might soon clear a way for ourselves, 
unless this* band of reptiles had more real cour- 
age than their race usually displayed when pitted 
against w^hite men. 


260 ON THE KENTUCKY PRONTIEK. 

After an interval of five minutes or more 
we repeated the maneuver, receiving a similar 
reply as before, and were able to deal death 
or wounds to another trio. 

“ Six wiped out or disabled in as many min- 
utes ! ” Simon Kenton said in a low tone of tri- 
umph. “ What do you think now of my battle, 
lads?” 

“ If they will fall into the trap twice more, 
we ean count on having this bank of the river 
to ourselves,” I replied incautiously loud, and 
the scout said warningly : 

“ Have a care, Louis, have a care. If they 
suspect what kind of a game we are playin’ 
there’ll be little chance of their doin’ as we wish.” 

Well, lest I draw this poor tale out to such 
length as to weary him who may read, it is 
enough if I say that three times more did we 
succeed in finding targets for our rifies by using 
the poles vigorously, and I was certain that 
from the moment the scout was awakened until 
the savages refused to come out at our bidding, 


A NOVEL battle. 261 

we had sent bullets into no less than thirteen of 
them. 

Considering the fact that their number could 
not have exceeded forty, judging from what we 
had seen and heard, this work of ours was well 
calculated to discourage them. 

They had poured into the pile of logs no less 
than an hundred bullets, and yet we had not 
received a scratch ! 

I almost forgot that I was hungry or thirsty, 
for the fever of killing was upon me, and my 
one hope was that we might draw them two or 
three times more in order to give the villainous 
brutes such a lesson in blood-letting as they had 
never learned before. 

In this I was disappointed, however, for the 
snakes had either come to understand our game, 
or were drawn off to nurse their wounds, and 
we saw no more of them. 

At nightfall we stole cautiously out from 
among the fallen timber, and not a shot was 
sent after us. 


262 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. 

A mile or more from the scene of our greatest 
triumph we made a halt that we might quench 
our thirst from the river, and during the night 
our march was less hurried than when we began 
the race. 

We stopped for breakfast next morning, after 
shooting a turkey, and by this time it was cer- 
tain that the painted reptiles who had relied on 
spilling our blood, no longer retained such desire 
at the price we set upon it. 

After this we pushed forward at a leisurely 
pace, and in comparative security, until we ar- 
rived at Corn Island, where my mother greeted 
Paul and me as if we were come from the dead. 

What we did there, or what further adven- 
tures befell Simon Kenton before he was able to 
revisit his home in Virginia, is not for me to 
set down here, since it forms a tale by itself. 
Neither can I relate how I made a home for my 
mother in that new settlement which came to 
be known by the name of Louisville ; but it 
seems necessary I should copy from what another 


A NOVEL BATTLE. 


263 


has written, the story of how Major Clarke 
succeeded in wresting the valley of the Mis- 
sissippi from the clutches of the Biitish, and 
with such account I bring this writing to an end, 
hoping others may find as much pleasure in the 
reading as I have in the writing of it. 

‘‘ On the twenty-ninth of January, 1779, 
intelligence was received that Governor Hamil- 
ton had marched an expedition against Vin- 
cennes, from Detroit, nearly a month previously, 
and that the town was again in possession of the 
enemy. It was also said that another and more 
formidable expedition was to be sent out in the 
spring to recapture Kaskaskia, and to assail the 
various posts on the Kentucky frontier. With 
his usual promptness and energy Colonel Clarke 
(the Virginia legislature had recently promoted 
him) prepared to anticipate the enemy, and 
strike the first blow. 

“ He planned an expedition against Vincennes, 
and on the seventh of February commenced his 


264 TH£: KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

marcli through the mlderness, with one hundred 
and seventy-five men. He had previously des- 
patched Captain Rogers and forty men, two 
four-pounders, and a boat, with orders to force 
their way up the Wabash to a point near the 
mouth of White River, and there wait for fur- 
ther orders. 

“ For a whole week Colonel Clarke’s party 
traversed the drowned lands of Illinois, suffering 
every privation from wet, cold and hunger. 
When they arrived at the Little Wabash, at a 
point where the forks of the stream are three 
miles' apart, they found the intervening space 
covered with water to a depth of three feet. The 
points of dry land were five miles apart, and all 
that distance those hardy soldiers waded the 
cold snow-flood, sometimes armpit deep. 

‘‘ On the evening of the eighteenth they halted 
a little distance from the mouth of Embarrass 
Creek, and so near Vincennes that they could 
hear the booming of the evening gun. Here 
they encamped for the night, and the next 


A NOVEL BATTLE. 


265 


morning at dawn, with their faces blackened 
with gunpowder to make themselves appear 
hideous, they crossed the river in a boat they 
had secured, and pushed on through the floods 
toward the town. 

‘‘Just as they reached dry land, in sight of 
Vincennes, they captured a resident, and sent 
him into the town with a letter demanding the 
immediate surrender of the place and fort. 
The people, taken by surprise, were greatly 
alarmed, and believed the expedition to be from 
Kentucky, composed of the fierce and strong of 
that advancing commonwealth. Had armed 
men dropped in their midst from the clouds, they 
could not have been more astonished, for it 
seemed impossible for this little band to have 
traversed the deluged country. The people 
were disposed to comply with the demand, but , 
Governor Hamilton, who commanded in person, 
would not allow it. 

“ A siege commenced, and for fourteen hours 
a furious conflict continued. The next day the 


266 ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER, 

town and fort were surrendered, and the garri- 
son were made prisoners of war. The stars and 
stripes took the place of the red cross of St. 
George ; a round of thirteen guns proclaimed 
the victory, and that night the exhausted troops 
of Colonel Clarke reposed in comfort.” 

THE END. 


L. BURT’S PUBLICATIONS 

For Young People 

BY POPULAR WRITERS, 

.*»2-58 Duane Street, New York# 


Bonnie Prince Charlie ; A Tale of Fontenoy and Culloden. By 
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The period between tlie landing of Clive as a young writer in 
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In this story Mr. Hen y gives the history of the first cart of the 
Thirty Years’ War. The issue h td its importance, which has ex- 
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tn Germany. The a my of the chi alrous king of Sweden was 
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(\i s!<iry. 

“ The tale is a clever and instnictive piece of history, and as boys may bo 
trusted to read itconscientiously. they can hardly fail to be profited-”— 


A. L. BURT’S PUBLICATIONS. 


5 

The Dragon and the Raven; or. The Days of King Alfred. By 

G. A. Henty, With full-page Illustrations by C. J. Stani- 

LAND, R.l. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

In this story the author gives an a count of the fi- rce struggle 
between Saxon and D in for supremacy in Kngland, and presents 
a vivid picture of the misery and ruin to which tlm country was 
reduced by the ravaires of the sea-wo ves. Tlie hero, a young 
Saxon thane, takes part in all the battles fought by King Alfred. 
He is driven from his home, takes to the sea and resi ts the Danes 
on thi^ir own element, and being pursued by them up the Seine, 
is present at the long and desperate siege of Paris. 

“ Treated in a manner most attractive to the boyish reader.” — Athenceum 

The Young Carthaginian : A Story of the Times * f Hanni al. 

By G. A. Henty. With full-page Illustrations by C. J. Stani- 

LAND, R.l. 12ino, cloth, price |l. 00, 

Boys reading the history of the Pui.ic Wars hav^ seldom a keen 
appreciation of the merits of the contest. That it was at first a 
struggle for empire, and afterward for existence on the part of 
Carthage, that Hannibal wa^ a great and skillful general, that he 
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In Freedom’s Cause : A Story of Wallace and Bruce. ByG A. 
Henty. With fulLpage Illustrations by Gordon Browne. 

12mo, cloth, price $1.00. /■ 

In this story the author relates the stirring tale of the Scottish 
War of Independence. The extraordinary valor and personal 
prowess of Wallace and Bruce rival the deeds of the mythical 
heroes of chivalry, and indeed at one time Wallace was ranked 
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full of “hairbreadth ’scapes” and wild advent ire. 

•' It is written in the author’s best style. Full of the wildest and most re- 
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begun it, will qot willingly put on oqe side.”— TTte ^Qhoolmmter. 







: T *1. 








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